Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath opened up about wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson leaving Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of IPL 2026. Badrinath suggested that Riyan Parag might be the reason behind Samson’s reported request to exit the franchise for the next edition.
According to reports, Samson has asked RR to either trade or release him. Samson, who was retained for ₹18 crore last season, has been with the franchise since 2013. Head coach Rahul Dravid is yet to make a final decision on the matter amid differences between the skipper and the management.
Subramaniam Badrinath said that Riyan Parag’s possible captaincy could be the reason behind Sanju Samson leaving the Rajasthan Royals before IPL 2026. The former India batter questioned why Samson would remain with the team if Parag is being considered for the leadership role.
“I feel Riyan Parag is the reason. If you consider him for captaincy, how do you expect someone like Samson to stay?," said Badrinath on his YouTube channel.
Samson began the IPL 2025 season as an impact substitute because the National Cricket Academy (NCA) hadn’t cleared him for wicketkeeping duties. Riyan Parag captained Rajasthan Royals in the first three matches.
Samson later resumed full-time captaincy but suffered a side strain against Delhi Capitals (DC). The injury forced him to miss a few matches, allowing Parag to take charge for another stint later in the season.
Sanju Samson Could Be the Like-For-Like Replacement for MS Dhoni - Subramaniam Badrinath
S Badrinath said that Sanju Samson is the ideal replacement for MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings. However, he raised doubts over whether the franchise can accommodate him in their batting order, with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, and Dewald Brevis at the top and middle order.
“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," Badrinath said.
“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 added.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Is the Captain - Subramaniam Badrinath
Badrinath said that Chennai Super Kings may hesitate to sign Sanju Samson due to captaincy considerations. He added that Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has led the team for just one season, might be affected if the leadership role were handed to Samson.
"The other aspect to consider is captaincy. Whether MS Dhoni leads or not, Ruturaj Gaikwad is the captain. He's led only for one season. If you give the captaincy to Samson, how would Gaikwad feel about that?. That is something we need to consider. I think keeping all these things in mind, CSK is still thinking of whether or not to go ahead."
Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin gives MS Dhoni ultimatum, threatens shock CSK exit before IPL 2026
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