Sanju Samson (Source:@emiwayxsan30292,x.com)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is already gaining significant attention, as teams gear up for another intense season, player movements have taken centre stage. Among all the rumours, one name that stands out is Sanju Samson, the long-serving captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR), who is reportedly on the radar of multiple franchises, with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) leading the chase.
Samson has been the backbone of the franchise (RR) for over a decade. However, recent developments have sparked intense speculation about his future with RR, especially after a cryptic social media post from a senior KKR official.
KKR Scout Shares Cryptic Post With Samson
The speculation took a dramatic turn when Biju George, KKR’s Head of Scouting, shared a picture on Instagram alongside Sanju Samson. The caption, "Some memories are special," sent fans into overdrive, as they interpreted it as a subtle hint of an impending move.
While neither Sanju nor KKR has officially clarified the post, its timing has fueled speculation that Samson could be donning the purple and gold of KKR in IPL 2026.
Biju George's Instagram post (Source:@KKR_Xtra,x.com)
KKR has struggled with leadership stability in recent seasons, experimenting with multiple captains, including Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana. Bringing in a proven leader like Samson could offer a long-term solution and inject fresh energy into the squad.
Interestingly, it is also important to note that CSK are also believed to be in advanced discussions with Samson. With MS Dhoni’s retirement around the corner and the team looking for a generational shift in leadership, Samson could potentially be viewed as the next face of the franchise.
Samson’s Journey With RR
Sanju Samson’s journey with the Rajasthan Royals began in 2013, and he quickly established himself as one of the most talented young Indian batters. He briefly moved to Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) during RR’s two-year suspension but returned in 2018 and took over the captaincy in 2021.
Under his leadership, RR reached the IPL 2022 final, only to fall short against Gujarat Titans. However, the franchise’s performance dipped in IPL 2025, where they failed to qualify for the playoffs. Samson, unfortunately, missed much of the season due to injury, with Riyan Parag stepping in as captain.