As the IPL trading window heats up, all eyes are on Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson, who appears to be contemplating a major move before the next season.
The talented wicketkeeper-batsman has already informed his franchise of his intentions to leave, but the question remains which team will finally trade for him?
While discussions continue, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have emerged as a strong contender, making a strategic offer to Rajasthan: choose one of two of their players in exchange for Samson.
Sanju Samson’s focus is likely on preparing for Asia Cup 2025, but the IPL teams are eager to secure his services. Having led Rajasthan for nearly five seasons, Samson’s future at the franchise is now uncertain.
Rumors have been swirling for some time that he’s seeking a trade or release ahead of the upcoming auction, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) seen as the primary suitor.
However, amidst these developments, KKR has stepped into the fray, presenting Rajasthan with a compelling proposition: select one of two of their players to complete the trade.
Last season, Samson was sidelined due to injury in several matches, while in others he only entered as an impact substitute. During this period, Riyan Parag stepped up as captain, fueling speculation of a rift between Samson and Rajasthan’s management.
By July, those rumors took a more concrete form reports revealed that Samson had communicated his intentions to Rajasthan, requesting a trade or release ahead of the auction.
CSK’s interest in Samson has been well-documented, with officials openly expressing their desire to include him in their squad. But the challenge lies in Rajasthan’s demands.
They reportedly sought players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja in exchange a package that CSK was unlikely to fulfill, leaving their bid in doubt.
Meanwhile, KKR has entered the scene with a different approach, offering two of their own players to Rajasthan, with the option to choose one.
According to a report in Kolkata’s Anand Bazaar Patrika, Kolkata’s owners Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla are personally keen on acquiring Samson.
KKR has proposed a deal involving either promising young top-order batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi or finisher Ramesh Kumar Singh. The report suggests that Kolkata is unwilling to part with both players and prefers to keep their options open.
In terms of franchise value, Rajasthan had retained Samson for INR 18 crore last year, while KKR had signed Angkrish for INR 3 crore and Ramesh for INR 4 crore.
Ifthis trade materializes, Kolkata would need to compensate Rajasthan with approximately INR 14-15 crore, making it a significant but potentially game-changing move for both sides.
As the IPL trading window approaches its climax, all eyes are on Rajasthan, Kolkata, and the future of one of India’s brightest talents. Will Samson don the purple and gold of KKR, or will Rajasthan find a way to hold onto their star? The cricket world waits with bated breath, eager to see how this high-stakes chess match unfolds.
