All Cash Deal To RR? 3 Possible Ways KKR Can Offer To Bring Sanju Samson Before IPL 2026

3 Possible Ways KKR Can Offer To Bring Sanju Samson Before IPL 2026 (Source: AFP Photos)

On Friday, August 15, several reports took over the internet, which claimed that Sanju Samson's deal to CSK is a long shot, and the RR captain might now be heading to the Kolkata Knight Riders. 

The report sent the internet into a frenzy as KKR are looking for a solid marquee player who can lead the side and also keep gloves. Now, since Samson ticks all the boxes, the deal is most likely to go through, but it added that RR are seeking two players in return. 

Now, the details of the players heading to RR is still not sure, but this article will look at three possible trade deal options for the Royals and why they shouldn't go ahead with Venkatesh Iyer. 

Why Not Venky Iyer RR?

Venkatesh Iyer was supposed to be the next big guy in IPL as the Knight Riders splurged 23.75 crores on the southpaw during the auction. However, Iyer failed to create any impact and scored just 142 runs in 11 games and didn't get a single over to bowl. 

Now, the three-time winners would be looking to let Iyer go in IPL 2026, but a trade deal won't be viable for any of the sides because of financial loss.

For RR, trading Sanju with Iyer should be a big no-no, as it would add no strength to their batting unit. Even for KKR, they bought Venky for 23.75 crores, and if they do a direct trade, then KKR will suffer financially; rather, they can release him and buy the southpaw again for a lower price.

Now, coming to RR, if not Iyer, here are the three trade-deal options they should look to complete Samson's trade. 

1. Target 2-3 Young Talents

There are no certain rules that if Samson is valued at 18 crores in RR, then they need to buy a player worth the same price from KKR. It is the will of the two teams how they want to trade. 

Further, one of the options for the Royals is to give Samson to RR and take two to three younger talents and groom them to see Vaibhav Suryavanshi-like results. 

Who Should RR Target?

1.Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Amid a disappointing IPL 2025 for KKR, Raghuvanshi was one of the positives of the entire season. The 20-year-old amassed 300 runs in 12 matches, averaging 33.3 and smashed a solitary fifty-plus score.

Raghuvanshi has talent and the potential to bat up the order, which can end RR's batting woes. Further, Raghuvanshi's value was 3 crores during the IPL 2025 auction, an amount that shouldn't hurt RR. 

2.Harshit Rana

Another demand that RR should put forward is to have Harshit Rana traded alongside Raghuvanshi in place of Samson. The demand might shock KKR, but such is the harsh nature of the trade window.

Harshit has been KKR's best seamer in the last couple of seasons, but RR, too, should look at their weak seam attack. Adding the 24-year-old to the squad would strengthen their bowling attack.

Talking about Harshit, the right-arm seamer has taken 34 wickets in the last two seasons. Further, KKR retained him for four crores, but even a valuation of 10 crores shouldn't hurt RR.

3.Luvnith Sisodia

Another KKR star full of potential, but underutilised at KKR, is keeper-batter Luvnith Sisodia. The 25-year-old is yet to make his IPL debut, but was bought for 30 lakhs in the auction. 

Sisodia made the waves during IPL 2025 pre-season camp, where he hammered the experienced bowlers to play a 45-run quickfire knock on a surface, where the rest of the players struggled. Despite that, KKR failed to give him a match. Thus, Sisodia's trade to RR shouldn't be an issue. 

Overall, RR should seal the deal within 10 cr for Rana + 6-7 crores for Angkrish + 1 crore for Sisodia = 18 crores, equivalent to Samson's valuable to KKR. 

2. Target Spin Department

The Rajasthan Royals have a weaker spin department. They released the likes of R Ashwin and Yuzi Chahal ahead of the mega-auction. Now, with Theekshana and Hasaranga at the helm, the spin department looked weak in IPL 2025. 

Thus, RR should push to force KKR to release either Sunil Narine or Varun Chakaravarthy from their squad to sign Sanju Samson. Any addition would do wonders for RR as Narine will bring in experience and batting ability, while Varun will be a star primary spinner. 

Let's look at how frontline spinners played a part for both teams in ipl 2025.

3. All Cash-Deal

The third option for RR to complete the trade is through an all-cash deal, where they can use the amount to lure another franchise for a call-cash deal for a superstar playing somewhere else.

However, the said deal is unlikely because if RR were interested in such a deal, then the CSK trade deal wouldn't have collapsed like it did.

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