Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has finally addressed his connection with the Rajasthan Royals, which has been his home for years, amid rumors of him leaving the franchise ahead of the next Indian Premier League IPL season.
Sanju Samson's future with Rajasthan Royals has been the talk of the town for weeks. The media reports claimed that all is not well between the Indian wicketkeeper and the RR team management.
Sanju Samson breaks silence on his Rajasthan Royals journey amid exit rumoursEven the reports suggest that the Kerala cricketer is ready to move on, and he also conveyed his decision to Rajasthan Royals to either release him or make a trade with Chennai Super Kings, who are already showing strong interest and are even willing to make an all-cash offer to bring him in.
Since taking over the captaincy in 2021, Sanju Samson has become the face of Rajasthan Royals and led them in 67 matches in the IPL over the four seasons. He has been their most consistent performer and a leader who has led the side from the front. But now reports have emerged about strained relations.
Speaking openly about his journey with the Rajasthan Royals, Samson reflected on how the franchise made his life and career. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter has recalled the early days when he was just a young boy from a small village in Kerala with big dreams.
I'm very grateful to have been part of the RR: Sanju SamsonAnd the Royals gave him the platform to prove himself, and the franchise believed, and that trust gave him the confidence to grow, not just as a player but as a leader. His words showed genuine gratitude for everything the franchise has done for him amid the rumors.
Sanju Samson told Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube show 'Kutti Stories with Ash': "RR has meant the world to me. A small child coming from a village in Kerala, wanting to show his talent. And then Rahul sir and Manoj Badale sir gave me a stage to get up and show the world what I am made of. That time, they trusted me throughout. The journey with RR has been really great, and I'm very grateful to have been in a franchise like that. It really means a lot to me."
During a light-hearted chat, Ravichandran Ashwin playfully hinted at swapping places with Samson, joking about staying back in Kerala while the Kerala star headed to Chennai. The banter quickly turned into a hilarious moment as Samson burst into laughter before reminding Ashwin that Kerala doesn't have an IPL team.
Ravichandran Ashwin's cheeky swap proposal leaves Sanju Samson in splitsThe duo left the future to "higher powers," as there are also reports of Ashwin leaving the Chennai Super Kings CSK and its academy in Chennai.
Samson noted, "There is no IPL team in Kerala, so there is no use staying back in the state. But Anna, there is no point of you staying back since Kerala doesn't have a team. ... Let's just see what's in store. Let's just leave it to the higher powers."