 "Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag during a match in IPL 2025. AFP")
Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath feels that Riyan Parag could be the main reason behind Sanju Samson’s possible exit from the Rajasthan Royals franchise. Samson has been an important part of the RR team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for many years. But now, after playing for them for 11 seasons, there are reports that the Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter could be leaving the franchise.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is being touted as Samson’s next stop, but there is no official confirmation on this matter yet. It is believed that CSK is looking for a wicketkeeper-batter to replace MS Dhoni, who is on the verge of his retirement from cricket as he is already 44 years old and is suffering from various fitness issues. The franchise reportedly wants to bring in Samson via a trade deal with RR.
Badrinath on why Samson might leave RR
Now, former CSK batter S Badrinath has stated that Riyan Parag could be the reason behind Samson’s potential exit from RR. There have been reports claiming that Samson has requested the RR management to release him before the upcoming IPL 2026 auction.
Reports also suggest that Rajasthan Royals might want to make Parag a permanent part of their leadership group after he captained the team for a few matches last season. Samson had missed the first three games of IPL 2025 because of an injury. Badrinath feels this could make Samson think about joining another team.
“I feel Riyan Parag is the reason. If you consider him for captaincy, how do you expect someone like Samson to stay?” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.
“If Sanju Samson does come to CSK, then he could be the like-for-like replacement for MS Dhoni. Samson is a batter who can bat in the top three or four spots in the batting order. He is not someone who could fit in the number five or six spot in the playing XI. CSK are strong in those areas of the playing XI. Mhatre is settled, Gaikwad is settled, Brevis is settled,” he added.
“I am not sure if CSK would do a transaction like MI did to get Hardik Pandya from GT. So even if Sanju Samson comes in, the question remains whether CSK can fit him into the playing XI,” he said.