![Sanju Samson for RR [Source: AFP Media]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1756196587339_sanju_samson.jpg?type=mq)
Sanju Samson for RR [Source: AFP Media]
One of the most discussed players in the ongoing IPL trade window has been Sanju Samson. The player has been linked with moves to Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and some other teams. However, the demands of RR have looked overambitious, and there is a chance of the player going into the auction and being open to the market.
Being a wicketkeeper, a top-order batter with the experience of captaincy in RR, Sanju Samson represents a group that is very scarce in the IPL market. Given the uniqueness of the player, there is a chance that his being in the auction might push his price.
The Uniqueness of Samson
The biggest positive with Sanju Samson is that he does not fill only one spot in the team. His inclusion comes as a complete package, solving multiple needs of the franchise simultaneously.
Leadership: Samson stands as the RR skipper with the most experience. He is also the only player to lead the franchise to an IPL final besides Shane Warne. This alone commands ₹2-3 Cr additional value in today's market.
Positional Flexibility: The top-order batting ability of Samson, along with wicketkeeping, eliminates the need for the franchise to go for separate signings. This creates a budget efficiency of around ₹2-3 Crores.
Indian Quota Advantage: Add to this the fact that the management can include a premium player without expending their overseas slot. The Indian wicketkeepers generally get more value, typically 25-30% price premium.
Market Dynamics and Historical Context
Recent Benchmarks:
- Rishabh Pant: ₹27 crore
- Ishan Kishan: ₹11.25 crore
- KL Rahul: ₹14 crore
Auction Psychology: Bidding wars during the IPL auction transcend beyond player roles and their value to the team. When three or four franchises identify one player as a must-have, then rationality in pricing disappears. The 2025 mega-auction saw this dynamism and thus multiple players exceeded logical valuations by atleast 30-40%.
Post-2025 Desperation Factor
Several franchises suffered wicketkeeping disasters in IPL 2025, creating urgent demand:
- Failed overseas experiments cost teams playoffs
- Leadership vacuum after veteran departures
- Dhoni's impending retirement creates succession panic in CSK
This desperation drives irrational bidding, historically adding ₹4-6 crore to logical valuations.
Price Prediction: ₹10-15 Crore Range
- Conservative estimate: ₹10-12 crore
- Most likely scenario: ₹14-18 crore
- Aggressive bidding war: ₹16-20 crore
The Mathematics
- Scarcity premium: +₹2-3 crore
- Triple-role value: +₹2-3 crore
- Desperation factor: +₹2-4 crore
Total range: ₹10-15 crore (Given the fact that going in the auction will automatically reduce his base price)
Conclusion
The audacious demands from the Royals might lead to Sanju Samson submitting a release request ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. This would bring down his base price to somewhere around the ₹ 1.5-2 Cr.
Now, given that it is a mini-auction, the teams will have to be conservative during the event while bidding for their desired players. However, the uniqueness of Samson as a player will induce the franchises to go hard after him within the limitations. Considering all the factors, if Samson goes under the hammer during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, then we can see him going for a price range of ₹ 10-15 Cr.
