Rajasthan Royals and Sanju Samson-A Fractured Relationship on the Brink of Shattering

The relationship between Rajasthan Royals and Sanju Samson is going towards a challenging period riddled with uncertainty and tension. The franchise and their loyal captain were at one point years ago enjoying an unprecedented bond but things have been changing in a hurry. Samson has now indicated his wish to depart from the team and the issue regarding his future at the Royals has become one of the most sought-after subjects in IPL circles.

While it might seem like a straightforward player transfer issue at first glance this is a multi-layered problem. Sanju Samson who has been one of the franchise faces is said to be dissatisfied with the management. Actually now it is known that he has formally asked the Royals to trade him to another franchise or release him into the auction pool. The talks have gone as far as even some members of Samson's family declaring that he no longer wishes to play for Rajasthan Royals. His IPL and Indian cricket close friends also indicate that the player and the team have a strained relationship by now.

Things are not however as straightforward when it comes to IPL contracts. Even if the player wishes to depart the last word is not in his hands. Once a player is retained or purchased through an auction he is tied down with a contract for three years. Sanju Samson is right now contracted with Rajasthan Royals until the conclusion of the 2027 season. So if he wishes to leave the decision has to be made by the franchise.

This creates a tricky situation for the Royals. They are now faced with the decision of whether to stick with a player who obviously wants out or let him go and rebuild. It's a delicate balance to strike because a dressing room full of joyous and committed players is important for any team's performance. Holding on to a player against his will can impact the mood of the squad and potentially even their performances on the pitch.

All the same losing somebody like Samson is not an easy call to make either. He has been a major component of the Royals scheme of things for quite a while. The team spent money on him when he was a teenager. It was after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders that Samson signed for Rajasthan Royals in 2015. Ever since except during the two years when the franchise was suspended he has been a regular player. His performance in the IPL was so commendable that even a legend such as Sachin Tendulkar once wished to meet him after watching a masterful knock he scored in a Mumbai Indians vs Royals match. This indicates the kind of ability he possessed at a very young age.

There are also reasons related to cricket which may have caused this bust-up. Since the captain and the best player of the side Samson could have anticipated greater control over the decisions of the side including his position in batting. He likes to bat at the start and does it for the Indian T20 side as well. But during the previous season, the Royals discovered a potent opening combination in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi. With this pair performing well it became hard to replace them and provide Samson with the opening slot once again. This could have contributed to his frustration but it is not the sole reason behind the increasing distance.

Aware of the possibility that it could prove tough to retain a player willing to part with the Rajasthan Royals allegedly began approaching other teams to look for trade possibilities. They are reported to have approached nearly every team even the ones who already possess well-established wicketkeeper-batsmen. Initial discussions have taken place but nothing has yet materialized. Some teams have expressed their interest but they have not presented anything that Rajasthan is looking for. After all Samson is not an ordinary player. He is one of their top names and worth Rs 18 crore. Trading him is not a matter of getting any team but getting one which can offer equal value back in return.

Chennai Super Kings have expressed special interest. But their team policy is that they do not release players so a trade directly is impossible. They may attempt to pick Samson from the auction but that is only possible if Rajasthan wants to release him. At present that does not seem to be the case. In fact CSK's biggest players such as MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad have also been spotted at the team's high performance center in Chennai recently and reports indicate that level talks are being held. It is not known if the issue of Samson was discussed during the said gatherings.

Other franchises have also expressed eagerness but the issue remains the same. They cannot match the value and presence that Samson is bringing. So, the Royals are in control for now. They can either hold firm and retain him for the duration of his contract period or attempt to obtain the best available deal in exchange. A representative of the franchise has refused to comment on record and Cricbuzz has contacted top owner Manoj Badale for a statement but there's no update yet.

Both the parties now appear to be stuck. Sanju Samson desires a new beginning possibly with a fresh team while Rajasthan Royals are attempting to keep their options open carefully. It is an age-old case of emotions combined with professional obligations.