IPL 2026: Riyan Parag the reason for Sanju Samson’s reported Rajasthan Royals exit request, says ex-IND cricketer

Samson’s absence opened the door for 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who delivered a record-breaking knock by hitting the fastest century by an Indian in the tournament. His successful opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal has sparked debate over Samson’s role in the squad moving forward.

“I feel Riyan Parag is the reason. If you consider him for captaincy, how do you expect someone like Samson to stay?” Badrinath remarked on his YouTube channel.

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Reports indicate CSK are interested in Samson, potentially eyeing him as a long-term successor to MS Dhoni. However, Badrinath voiced doubts over how well Samson would fit into CSK’s current setup.

“If Sanju Samson does come to CSK, then he could be the like-for-like replacement for MS Dhoni. Samson is a batter who can bat in the top three or four spots in the batting order. He is not someone who could fit in the number five or six spot in the playing XI. CSK are strong in those areas of the playing XI. Mhatre is settled, Gaikwad is settled, Brevis is settled,” Badrinath explained.

Addressing the possibility of such a move, Badrinath added: “I am not sure if CSK would do a transaction like MI did to get Hardik Pandya from GT. So even if Sanju Samson comes in, the question remains whether CSK can fit him into the playing XI.”

The Royals now face a pivotal call on Samson’s future, with young talent rising through the ranks and leadership responsibilities shifting within the team. While a transfer to CSK could be on the table, the challenge lies in finding the right batting position for Samson in an already well-balanced lineup. Discussions are expected to continue in the lead-up to the 2026 IPL season.