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"Captain Who Believed": Sandeep On How Sanju Samson Turned Him Into Death-Bowling Star

Akshita Patel

RR's Sandeep Sharma speaks highly of Sanju Samson [Source: @BCCI/X.com]RR's Sandeep Sharma speaks highly of Sanju Samson [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

Pacer Sandeep Sharma has opened up about how Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson played a key role in rescuing and redefining his IPL career. Once seen only as a new-ball bowler, Sandeep credits Samson for backing him during his toughest days and nudging him towards becoming a dependable death-over expert.

Sandeep’s career hit a low when he went unsold in the IPL 2023 auction. For a bowler who had years of experience swinging the new ball, the setback was massive. 

But fate gave him another chance when the Royals signed him as a replacement for injured Prasidh Krishna. It was under Samson’s captaincy that Sandeep found a new role.

Sandeep Sharma Rates Sanju Samson As Captain

In a recent interview with CricTracker, fast bowler Sandeep Sharma revealed that RR captain Sanju Samson backed his death bowling skills. He identified the potential and pushed him towards mastering the art, which eventually resurrected his career.

"I think Sanju Samson, he backed me the most. He actually challenged me to do something that I had never done. And that is the quality of good captains, who see things in you which even you don't. He has done that. He has been really great to me," Sandeep said.

The results speak for themselves. Since joining the Rajasthan Royals, Sandeep has taken 32 wickets in three seasons. 

"And as a captain for RR, the team has seen so much success (under him). I think last five years, they have seen three to four good (seasons). So he has been a very good captain, and at the same time, a great leader. He understands everyone, anyone who's playing under him, he takes that effort to understand that personality. And then according to that, assigning those roles are very important," he added.

In IPL 2024, he took 13 wickets in a mere 10 innings, with a remarkable average of 23.92. Even in IPL 2025, before he was injured and his season was shortened, he took 9 wickets in 10 games, demonstrating his consistency.

Rajasthan Royals evidently have faith in him, as Sandeep was one of the retained cricketers prior to the 2025 mega auction, along with Samson. His story is a classic example of how belief and leadership can turn around a player’s career. 

Sandeep Rubbishes Samson’s Trade Rumours

In the same interview, Sandeep Sharma was asked to share his thoughts on Sanju Samson’s alleged request for a trade from the Rajasthan Royals. Sharma deemed it as rumours and refused to share any inside knowledge. 

"I don't think so. They are rumours only. I think all these things go in the media one by one and after that it starts circulating. And if you ask me personally, I have not been the part of that conversation. Whatever is happening, I don't know. But I think personally, they are only rumours."

Samson is apparently seeking an exit from RR ahead of IPL 2026, with talks with CSK and KKR reportedly in motion. However, following head coach Rahul Dravid’s exit, Sanju’s move could be stalled.