Rajasthan Royals to extend Sanju Samson and Kumar Sangakkara's contract ahead of IPL 2026: Reports

In the last few weeks, the reports have revealed strong news on the potential retention list of all ten franchises before the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). It was highlighted that the long-time captain of the Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson, would have made his flight to Chennai to feature for the Super Kings. But that seems unlikely now.

Sanju Samson, who has smashed an overall 4704 runs in 172 innings of the IPL at an average of 30.94 and a strike rate of 139.04 with three centuries and 26 half-centuries at the best score of 119 runs, is likely to stay with the franchise. The wicket-keeper opening batter has spent his time with the Royals since 2018 and has been one of the most important members of the side.

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Last season, he didn’t enjoy a great time on and off the field with 265 runs in nine innings at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 140.39 with one fifty at the best score of 66. When he was out of the side, Riyan Parag took the responsibility of leadership.

RR to extend Sanju Samson and Kumar Sangakkara’s contract for IPL 2026

Apart from that 2025 season, Samson, who retained his position in the Indian T20I side for the Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 09, has crossed the 300-run mark in every season for the 2008 champions. That’s the consistency Royals wanted. Along with him, RR’s head coach, Kumar Sangakkara, is also likely to get a contract extension for the franchise in 2026.

Many reports claimed that the former Sri Lanka captain was likely to leave the franchise with the Kolkata Knight Riders, and a few other sides were keeping an eye on that. But after Rahul Dravid decides to leave the side after 2025, that speculation can be erased.

Rajasthan had a tough time in 2025 as they failed to qualify for the playoffs of the tournament. They finished at the penultimate position of the points table with four wins and 10 defeats in 14 fixtures at a net run rate of -0.647. Both halves of the event were divided into two wins and five defeats during the IPL 2025.