KL Rahul Or Sanju Samson: Who Is More Logical Fit For KKR In IPL 2026?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Sanju Samson and KL Rahul [Source: AFP Media]Sanju Samson and KL Rahul [Source: AFP Media]

The IPL trade window is one of the hot topics of discussion among cricket fans. With the teams making their moves, there are some rumours which are gaining more attention than the others.

One of the teams that has been among the discussions is the Kolkata Knight Riders. The IPL 2024 champions find themselves at a crossroads, with reports suggesting that they are looking to acquire both KL Rahul and Sanju Samson ahead of the 2026 season. 

After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Knights are aiming for a restructuring, and the first steps have been taken with the sacking of the old coaching staff. Both Samson and Rahul could offer compelling cases for KKR to target. In this article, we take a look at who fits the Knights better for the upcoming season. 

Sanju Samson vs KL Rahul: IPL Career Stats

If we take a look at the IPL careers of Sanju Samson and KL Rahul, then we can see that while the RR player provides a more explosive option, the DC batter gives a more stable, consistent and dependable choice.

So far, Rahul has played 145 IPL matches, in which he has scored at an average of 46.21, while Samson averages 30.94 in his 177 games. If we take a look at the strike rate of the two players, then we can see that KL has a strike rate of 136.02 in IPL, while Samson scores at a rate of 139.04. 

These numbers indicate that Samson is a more volatile entity to have in the team than KL.

Sanju Samson vs KL Rahul: Who Is A Better Strategic Fit For KKR

One of the prime struggles of KKR in IPL 2025 was around their wicketkeeping spot. Both Quinton de Kock and Rahamanullah Gurbaz failed to deliver the expected performances, and that resulted in negative return on investment from their overseas slots.

While both Rahul and Samson might solve this problem for KKR, they will be looking for a batter who can give more consistent performances throughout the tournament. This demand might make Rahul the better-suited choice for the 2024 champions.

Sanju Samson vs KL Rahul: Captaincy Fit

After the ordinary season under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, there is a chance that KKR would be looking for a captaincy candidate. KL Rahul has led the LSG to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. He also has the experience of leading India in ODIs and Tests.

While Sanju Samson has led RR into the playoffs once and into the final once, he does not have the experience of leading the Indian team. Rahul's experience makes him a better option in this case.

Conclusion

While Samson's explosive potential makes him a desirable option, KKR's immediate needs favour a consistent contributor and a steady influence at the top.

After their disappointing run in 2025, KKR will not be too eager to go through another adaptation period. This is precisely why Rahul's career numbers, consistency and captaincy experience make him the logical choice for Shah Rukh Khan's team.