Unhappy Sanju Samson shocks Rajasthan Royals, wants to be released from the franchise ahead of IPL 2026 auction as CSK tipped as suitor

Tensions are reportedly high within the Rajasthan Royals camp following a disappointing 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. According to a report by Cricbuzz, captain Sanju Samson has expressed his wish to part ways with the franchise ahead of the 2026 mini-auction, which is expected to take place later this year.

Sanju Samson asks for RR release ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Samson has reportedly communicated his request to the Royals, asking either to be traded or released, which would allow him to enter the auction. The report also claims that members of Samson's family have openly stated that the 30-year-old no longer wishes to continue with the franchise. The key reasons for this discord appear to be related to his role on the team. Samson is said to want to open the innings and have the freedom to decide his own batting position, but the emergence of young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal has made this a difficult prospect for the team to accommodate. The report suggests that there are also other unspecified points of disagreement between the player and the franchise.

ALSO READ: BCCI calls for applications for 4 top positions including batting and bowling coaches at COE following England tour

ALSO READ: After impressive England tour, Shubman Gill to now captain this team, 5 J&K players included in squad for the first time ever

Although the 30-year-old has requested to be released or traded, the final decision rests with the franchise itself, as he is under contract until 2027. This puts the franchise in a difficult position. Keeping a key player who is unhappy could create a disruptive environment in the dressing room, but letting go of a star like Samson, whom they have developed over the years, is also a tough choice.

The Royals are reportedly exploring a variety of trade options and have approached every franchise in the league, even those that already have an established wicketkeeper-batter. While a few teams have shown interest, none have made an offer that the Royals have found acceptable so far.

There have been persistent rumors over the past few months that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are interested in signing Samson, but RR are determined to keep their captain. According to the same report, the Royals have reached out to all other franchises to explore a potential trade deal.

CSK have publicly shown interest, but their policy of not releasing players makes a direct trade difficult. An all-cash deal for a high-value player like Samson, who was retained for a substantial Rs 18 crore last year, is reportedly off the table for the Royals. Consequently, CSK officials believe their best chance of acquiring Samson is if he becomes available in the auction. The report suggests that other interested franchises are in a similar position, having expressed interest but not yet offering a deal that the Royals would consider satisfactory.