It seems the rumours are true, SRH reject Sanju Samson. The IPL grapevine has been buzzing, and many fans were hoping the Orange Army might bag the flamboyant Rajasthan Royals skipper. But, reportedly, SRH has firmly decided against it. With Ishan Kishan in SRH already holding the gloves and proving his mettle, the franchise appears confident in sticking with their current plans.
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Why SRH Reject Sanju Samson?
So why did SRH turn down a player of Samson’s calibre? Well, it’s not that Sanju isn’t talented, far from it. He’s explosive, a proven leader, and can turn a game around single-handedly. But the cons may have outweighed the pros. First, there’s the injury concern. Samson has had his fair share of niggles, and IPL teams hate leaving themselves exposed to uncertainty. SRH, on the other hand, already have a relatively injury-free SRH wicket-keeper in Ishan Kishan, who knows the team setup inside out.
Then there’s the financial angle. Samson commanded a hefty price tag at Rajasthan Royals, reportedly 18 crores. Spending that much on a player who might sit out games due to injury or be a tactical misfit could unbalance the squad. Add to that the fact that SRH’s current opening duo and Ishan Kishan in SRH are performing well, and you start to see why Samson might not have fit into the immediate plans.
Leadership is another factor. While Samson brings captaincy experience, SRH seems keen to back Pat Cummins for continuity. Kishan, meanwhile, slots in perfectly as a young, dependable keeper-batter who knows the team ethos. So, despite the allure of a big-name signing, SRH appears to have opted for stability over flash.
Samson vs Kishan：Stats Face-Off
Numbers rarely tell the whole story, but they give a neat comparison. Here’s a snapshot of how Samson stacks up against Kishan in IPL history:
| Criterion | Sanju Samson | Ishan Kishan |
| Matches | 177 | 119 |
| Runs | 4,704 | 2,998 |
| SR | 139.05 | 137.65 |
| 50s / 100s | 26 / 3 | 17 / 1 |
On paper, Samson edges Kishan in experience and overall runs, but the strike rate, arguably the key metric in T20 cricket, is remarkably close. Last season tells a slightly different story: Kishan played all games for SRH, scoring 354 runs at a strike rate of 152, whereas Samson was mostly sidelined with injury and had a strike rate of 140. So consistency and availability clearly favour Ishan Kishan in SRH.
Pros and Cons
Why Samson could have been tempting:
Captaincy option: Having led RR to finals before, Samson could have been a leadership upgrade.
Number three stability: Samson has historically excelled at that spot, scoring over 3000 runs at an impressive strike rate.
Why SRH stuck with Kishan:
Familiarity with the team: Kishan has already settled in, which matters more than many think in the IPL grind.
Less injury-prone: Availability is critical, and Kishan provides reliability.
Squad balance: SRH already have three openers, plus Kishan doubles as a backup option. No glaring gaps needed filling.
Essentially, while adding Samson might have spiced things up, SRH prioritised cohesion and practicality. Their current SRH wicket-keeper is dependable, young, and capable of forming the spine of the side for years to come.
The Orange Army’s Strategy
At the end of the day, IPL franchises have to think beyond star power. SRH reject Sanju Samson not because they doubt his ability, but because they value continuity, team chemistry, and strategic spending. With Ishan Kishan in SRH already a key figure, the Orange Army have decided to back their existing core, trusting that a well-oiled team will outperform a high-profile gamble.
Fans might still daydream about Samson in the orange jersey, but SRH seem happy to stick with what works, keeping the faith in Kishan, Cummins, and the rest of the squad. Sometimes, cricket decisions are less about flash and more about the long game, and this seems like one of those cases.
