Rahul Dravid Reveals Sanju Samson's Role in Rajasthan Royals' IPL Retentions
Dravid emphasized that retaining Samson was a natural choice, noting, “Sanju is our batsman, wicketkeeper, and captain. He has been leading the team for several years, so retaining him as captain was a no-brainer.”
Rajasthan Royals' head coach, Rahul Dravid, has shared that captain Sanju Samson played a key role in the franchise’s retention strategy for IPL 2025. Samson, who serves as both the captain and wicketkeeper-batter, was retained alongside core players Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma. Dravid explained that the decision to retain these six players was based on trust in their talent and the aim to build stability within the squad.
Dravid emphasized that retaining Samson was a natural choice, noting, “Sanju is our batsman, wicketkeeper, and captain. He has been leading the team for several years, so retaining him as captain was a no-brainer.” Samson was closely involved in the decision-making process, helping to ensure the team's future success.
Dravid further highlighted the stability that comes from keeping core players, explaining that though the franchise could only retain six players, they would have kept more if possible. He also praised Samson for navigating the retention process with a balanced perspective, taking the time to understand the dynamics and challenges of the decision.
Looking ahead, Dravid set clear expectations for the upcoming season, aiming for qualification and the team’s first IPL title in years. While acknowledging the strength of other teams, he stated that Rajasthan Royals have laid a solid foundation with their retained core, and will now look to fill the gaps and strengthen the squad in the upcoming auction.
