The Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain, Sanju Samson, may be on the move ahead of the IPL 2026 season, with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) reportedly joining the race to acquire the star wicketkeeper-batter. Samson has reportedly requested a trade or release from RR, and KKR is expressing strong interest in securing his services.
KKR's interest comes after reports that a potential trade with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fell through. RR had reportedly asked for key CSK players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, or Shivam Dube in exchange for Samson, but CSK was unwilling to part with these players. CSK, as a policy, have generally avoided player trades.
According to reports, KKR is willing to offer rising talents Angkrish Raghuvanshi or Ramandeep Singh in exchange for Samson. Ramandeep Singh, an all-rounder, made his debut for India last year. KKR's willingness to trade these players highlights their desire to acquire Samson.
KKR's interest in Samson stems from a need to strengthen their top order and find a reliable wicketkeeper. In the 2025 season, Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz failed to impress, putting pressure on the middle order. Samson could also be a captaincy alternative to Ajinkya Rahane. Furthermore, KKR is also reportedly interested in luring RR's current Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, to their setup.
Samson previously played for KKR in 2012, though he didn't play any games for them. If he moves to KKR, it would be a reunion.
However, there are potential obstacles to the trade. Samson was retained by RR for a hefty ₹18 crore. KKR would need to free up a significant amount in their auction purse to accommodate him. The combined value of Raghuvanshi and Singh is reportedly lower than Samson's salary, meaning a deal would likely involve a cash component.
Despite the rumors, Samson has publicly expressed his affection for the Rajasthan Royals. In a recent podcast, he said that RR "means the world to me". However, reports suggest that differences have arisen between Samson and the RR management. One reported point of contention was the decision to release Jos Buttler.
RR is looking for a quality spinner to bolster their squad. However, KKR is unlikely to trade Sunil Narine or Varun Chakravarthy. If a player swap doesn't materialize, an all-cash deal is also a possibility.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining Samson's future. The retention deadline is in November, so there is still time for negotiations to take place. If a suitable trade does not materialize, Samson could remain with Rajasthan Royals, as the decision to release or trade a player ultimately rests with the franchise.
