The Rajasthan Royals (RR) might be facing a significant dilemma as reports suggest Sanju Samson has expressed his desire to leave the franchise ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This potential exit could have "catastrophic ramifications" for the team's balance and future prospects, according to former India opener Kris Srikkanth.

Samson, who was retained for INR 18 crore before the IPL 2025 mega auction, has been a mainstay of the Royals since 2013. He is the team's most capped player with 149 matches and top run-scorer with 4027 runs, including three centuries. He guided the team to the IPL 2022 final and a 2024 playoff berth.

However, the 2025 season saw rumors of a rift between Samson and the team management, specifically head coach Rahul Dravid, though Dravid has denied these speculations. Samson also missed a few games due to a side strain, during which Riyan Parag took over the leadership.

Adding to the complexity is the emergence of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who impressed with his explosive batting, including smashing the fastest century by an Indian in the IPL. Some reports suggest that Samson's decision to leave might be linked to Suryavanshi's rise, as the Royals may want to promote Parag as captain.

Aakash Chopra believes that Samson may be considering his future with the Royals, given that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Suryavanshi are likely to occupy the opening slots, and Dhruv Jurel is also being considered for a higher batting position. Chopra speculated that Samson might have had less input in the team's retention and release decisions recently.

Kris Srikkanth argues that releasing Samson would disrupt the team's balance, especially since the Royals haven't won the IPL since 2008. He suggests that even if the Royals want to promote Riyan Parag as captain, they should still play Samson as a batter.

If Samson does leave, several teams might be interested in acquiring his services. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who need an Indian wicketkeeper and a top-order batter, are seen as a potential destination. Aakash Chopra also believes KKR would be the most ideal destination for Samson. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could also be a possible option, as Samson has long been rumored to be making the switch to MS Dhoni's side.

The Rajasthan Royals have a couple of months to decide on Samson's future, as the IPL trade window and the deadline to release players typically remain open until November. Releasing Samson would free up INR 18 crore, which could be used to bolster their middle order, especially with Jaiswal and Suryavanshi already in the squad. They also have Dhruv Jurel as a wicketkeeping option. However, letting go of an experienced player and captain like Samson could have significant repercussions for the team's stability and performance in the upcoming seasons.