'Journey with RR has been really great, and...': Sanju Samson lauds Rajasthan Royals for transforming his life and career

India wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson lauded the Rajasthan Royals (RR), saying that his long association with the IPL franchise has transformed his life and career amid strong speculation that he wants to snap the ties with the Rajasthan-based franchise.

There are huge speculations that Samson has asked the Royals to relieve him ahead of this year’s IPL auction, and if that indeed happens, it will mark the end of an association first started in 2013.

"RR has meant the world to me. A small child coming from a village in Kerala, wanting to show his talent. And then Rahul (Dravid) sir and Manoj Badale sir gave me a stage to get up and show the world what I am made of,” Samson told former India spinner R Ashwin in his YouTube show.

Earlier, PTI reported that R. Ashwin himself has been in discussion with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the move, and the five-time champions have been spoken about as a likely destination for Samson.

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"That time, they trusted me throughout. The journey with RR has been really great, and I’m very grateful to have been in a franchise like that. It really means a lot to me," Samson added.

Sanju Samson has been captaining the RR since 2021, and under his leadership, the IPL franchise reached the 2022 final before losing to Gujarat Titans. However, the last edition of the cash-rich league proved quite challenging because he missed the five matches due to a side strain. Riyan Parag captained the side in his absence and the franchise finished ninth with just four wins.

Samson was retained for Rs 18 crore ahead of the last mega auction alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Sandeep Sharma, and Shimron Hetmyer.