Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Sanju Samson won’t stay with Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming season of IPL 2026. There have been reports that Samson is all set change bases and he could be seen while playing for a new franchise in the lucrative tournament.
According to reports, Samson wants Rajasthan Royals to release him ahead of the upcoming mini-auction and CSK is reportedly one of the franchises that is interested in acquiring the wicket-keeper bat.
Chopra reckons three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be interested in all-cash deal to rope in Sanju Samson.
“It seems like Sanju won’t stay there. However, if you are leaving a ₹18 crore player, you need an equally good quality player. If Rajasthan want to release Sanju, which team can give someone in return? KKR will be extremely interested in an all-cash deal. Delhi won’t mind, although you also have to release ₹18 crore for Sanju to come into your side,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“KKR won’t have that problem, because if they release Venkatesh Iyer, ₹18 crore will be released in a jiffy, and you can do an all-cash deal. However, other teams cannot do that so easily. Can Sanju Samson go towards CSK? There is a way to release money there as well. ₹18 crore can be released in a jiffy, but I don’t know if that conversation is happening or not,” he added.
Meanwhile, the former Indian batter wondered if a trade deal will happen between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals to exchange Tristan Stubbs and Sanju Samson.
“A slightly strong news that came in was that Sanju is going to Delhi and Tristan Stubbs is going from Delhi to Rajasthan. There will still be a deficit of ₹8 crore because Tristan is for ₹10 crore and Sanju is for ₹18 crore. However, will that happen?” he said.
“Delhi won’t mind if Sanju Samson comes on their side because Sanju plays well on this ground. They can release Jake-Fraser McGurk if they get Sanju. Sanju will keep and open, and KL Rahul might open with him, but they cannot leave Tristan Stubbs,” Chopra observed.
Samson has scored 4704 runs in 176 IPL matches.
