Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) could be the frontrunners to sign Sanju Samson if the Rajasthan Royals (RR) decide to release him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. He pointed out that KKR are in need of a quality Indian wicketkeeper-batter who can also lead the team, and Sanju fits both roles. To accommodate him, KKR might consider releasing Venkatesh Iyer, which would free up the required budget for the high-profile signing.

Reports suggest that Sanju Samson has formally requested the Rajasthan Royals to release him before the 2026 auction. The Royals, who lacked a dependable Indian wicketkeeper in IPL 2025, were forced to rely on overseas options like Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Earlier, they had let go of Phil Salt, who joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With Samson’s departure request and KKR’s interest, a potential shift could significantly impact the dynamics of both franchises in the upcoming season.

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"The first name that comes to my mind is not CSK. KKR should be the most desperate team. KKR don't have an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, and that just ties their hands behind their back. Secondly, what's wrong if you get a captain? I am not denying that Ajinkya Rahane has captained well and has scored runs as well. However, Ajinkya Rahane as a batter, either he opens or else the batting order has been a bit of a problem. They have a player they can release as well. If they wish, they can release Venkatesh Iyer, free up nearly ₹24 crore, and then they can actually make a difference. Why would Sanju Samson want to leave? It's interesting because when the last mega auction happened, they let Jos Buttler go, and I felt they let Jos Buttler go because Yashasvi had come and Sanju wanted to open, and Sanju and Rajasthan Royals were really, really thick," Chopra said on hsi youtube channel.

Samson may leave RR due to Suryavanshi’s rise: Chopra

Sanju Samson has been a key figure for the Rajasthan Royals since his IPL debut in 2013, only missing out during the team's suspension in 2016 and 2017. However, recent reports suggest he has requested a release, possibly influenced by the rise of Vaibhav Suryavanshi as Yashasvi Jaiswal’s new opening partner. Aakash Chopra believes this development may have led Samson to consider moving on. While Samson is reportedly keen to leave, the Royals are not open to an all-cash trade and are instead seeking a like-for-like replacement in any potential deal.

"I felt there would have been a massive input from Sanju in the players they retained or released. However, now it seems it might not have been there. Vaibhav Suryavanshi has come, so two openers are already ready, and you also want to bat Dhruv Jurel up the order. So Sanju wishes to leave. If he is thinking like that, it's possible. These are conjectures. I don't know what's in his and Rajasthan's minds," Chopra concluded.