THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reports suggest that Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan Royals, is planning to end his 8-year-long association with the franchise. Sources close to the player indicate that he has asked the team management to either release or trade him ahead of the next IPL season.

Recently, Rajasthan Royals management had stated that they have no intention to release or trade Sanju before the upcoming season. Following this, reports emerged that Sanju has informed the team that he is not interested in continuing with them.

Several teams, including Chennai Super Kings, are reportedly interested in signing Sanju.

Reports claim that tensions have existed between Sanju and the franchise since last season. The rift became more serious after the team finished 9th in the previous IPL. Sanju could only play 9 matches due to injury, and was used as an impact player in several of them.

There were also said to be differences of opinion between Sanju and new coach Rahul Dravid, who replaced Kumar Sangakkara. Sanju was reportedly unhappy that he couldn’t decide his own batting position. Though he usually opens in T20s, the Jaiswal–Vaibhav Suryavanshi partnership clicked, and Sanju lost his place as opener.

Sanju joined Rajasthan in 2018 and became captain in 2021. Currently, he is under contract with the team for ₹18 crore, and the agreement is valid till 2027.