The whispers of Sanju Samson going to CSK are getting seriously loud. This isn’t just about the Royals perhaps losing a great batter; it’s about losing a true leader, a true legend who has long been the franchise’s lifeblood. For the team and its fans, who have seen him develop from a young, talented player into an accomplished IPL veteran and captain, the idea of him wearing a different jersey next season is somewhat devastating. As a result, finding a replacement for Sanju Samson and deciding who would be the 2026 Rajasthan Royals captain becomes an important priority.

The Samson-Sized Hole：RR’s Crisis or an Opportunity?

What kind of bizarre repercussions would the Rajasthan Royals face if Sanju Samson does pack his bags and leave? Losing Sanju, a reliable top-order batsman and a captain? There is no question that that would leave a huge hole.

The ‘Sanju Samson in the nets’ video you’ve been waiting for 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/mEIE3iHXeR

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 15, 2025

Crisis

On the field, imagine trying to chase down a big score or set a huge total without him; he’s been that crucial anchor in their batting lineup for ages. His calm vibe under pressure and those effortlessly elegant runs he scores have been central to RR’s game plan. And it’s more than just the runs, right? His leadership out there, how he connects with the bowlers, his whole presence in the dugout – it’s all been super valuable. For us fans, if he leaves, it might just feel like losing a piece of the team’s soul, a familiar and beloved face.

Opportunity

Well, it might not be all doom and gloom! Every challenge is secretly an opportunity, right? His departure could free up a huge chunk of money in their salary cap. That means RR could go hunting for other big-impact players in the upcoming mega-auction or even pull off some more cool trades.

A few IPL teams including CSK are open to welcoming Sanju Samson in their squad. (Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/dkrrruiFAZ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 1, 2025

The team management might be able to experiment with new strategies, possibly form a completely new core around some promising young Indian talent, or make significant investments in a particular skill set they’re now lacking thanks to this financial freedom. It might also create opportunities for those players who are currently on the team to take on greater responsibility, step up, and leave their mark, which would help the team develop new leaders.

4 Potential Replacement for Sanju Samson

If Sanju Samson does decide to start a new chapter, and wow, what a chapter that would be! Now, the Rajasthan Royals are going to have a massive job on their hands: finding their next leader. We’re talking about who’s going to step into those seriously big shoes, and thankfully, they’ve got a few cool names already in the squad, each bringing something unique to the table for the 2026 Rajasthan Royals captain role. It’s all about finding the right replacement for Sanju Samson as skipper!

Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler is the first person who comes to mind for this job. In addition to being a seasoned international captain for England in white-ball cricket, he is an explosive batsman who can destroy any bowling attack. He even guided his team to T20 World Cup glory. He is renowned for making really cool decisions, has a ton of experience with high-pressure situations, and always comes up with new strategies whenever the odds are stacked against him. Plus, his consistent performances mean he leads by example – how inspiring is that?! The only problem is that he’s with the Gujarat Titans right now and can only come back if he wants to.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Then there’s Ravichandran Ashwin, who’s another seriously strong contender. One of the brightest cricketing minds you’ll ever meet, this man is always assessing, planning, and simply anticipating the next move. Ashwin has a plethora of experience, tactical brilliance, and an in-depth comprehension of all the subtleties of the game because he has captained in domestic cricket previously. Despite being a bowler first and foremost, his ability to analyze game circumstances and effectively mentor the younger players might be invaluable, providing a whole different, more considerate leadership approach. However, he, too, like Butler, is in some other boat right now, and can only jump if he wishes to.

Dhruv Jurel

If the management would like to consider a bit more long-term, then they also have Dhruv Jurel, a young prodigy in their camp. He is a wicketkeeper-batter just like Sanju; talk about finding an exact replacement. And it’s not like his age makes him any less suitable for the captaincy, as he’s already shown maturity way beyond his years with his super cool head under pressure and those incredible finishing skills. While it might be a huge ask for him to take on the 2026 Rajasthan Royals captain role so early in his IPL journey, nurturing him into a leadership position would fit with RR’s history of backing young Indian talent for the future.

Riyan Parag

You know, there’s also Riyan Parag in their camp who has led RR in Sanju Samson’s stead. However, those outings were rather forgettable as RR couldn’t find victory in most of them. His captaincy also seemed to be in the way of his performance, as rightly pointed out by Sunil Gavaskar in mid-season. He said that the captaincy pressure is messing with his batting and even his fielding performances. This might make the management hesitant to consider his name.

Conclusion

Honestly, the Royals have some really interesting options for a replacement for Sanju Samson, each bringing a different mix of experience and potential to the captaincy role, making the post-Samson era a fascinating prospect for sure! It’s going to be exciting to see who they pick!