After the excitement of the recent World Cup, cricket fans are now turning their attention to another spectacle — the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 2026 IPL season is set to begin on March 28, and as always, the tournament promises drama, strategy, and intense competition.
Teams have already been busy preparing their plans and reshaping their squads. The player auction saw several surprising transfers, with many key players switching teams. Some franchises even lost their most iconic figures.
One of the biggest talking points this season revolves around Rajasthan Royals — a team that is about to start a completely new chapter.
A Historic Change for Rajasthan Royals
For Rajasthan Royals, the 19th season of the IPL marks a major turning point. For the first time since 2013, the team will play an IPL season without Sanju Samson — the man who had become the face of the franchise.
Sanju wasn’t just a player for Rajasthan. He was their long-time captain, a symbol of loyalty, and someone the franchise trusted even when others didn’t.
There were times when Sanju struggled to secure a regular spot in the Indian national team, yet Rajasthan Royals showed unwavering faith in him. They even appointed him as captain despite having global stars like Jos Buttler, who had already led England to a T20 World Cup title.
The Royals management believed in Sanju’s leadership qualities and his willingness to constantly learn and improve. Over the years, he evolved not just as a batsman but also as a leader.
Sanju Samson’s Legacy With Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson’s journey with Rajasthan Royals has been remarkable.
After taking over the captaincy, he guided the team to the IPL final in just his second year as captain, a massive achievement for the franchise. Although Rajasthan lost the final to Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans, reaching the final itself was historic.
It was the first time Rajasthan had reached an IPL final since their title-winning season in 2008.
Former Rajasthan Royals CEO Jake Lush McCrum, who served from 2021 to 2025, once explained why the franchise chose Sanju as captain. According to him, Sanju had the perfect combination of experience, passion, and maturity, even at a relatively young age.
Samson was known for his calm approach on the field, his ability to motivate players, and his leadership style that encouraged teammates to express themselves freely — something often compared to MS Dhoni’s leadership philosophy.
Sanju Samson’s IPL Career So Far
Sanju Samson began his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals in 2013.
During the 2016 and 2017 seasons, when Rajasthan Royals were suspended from the IPL, Samson played for Delhi Capitals. When the Royals returned to the league in 2018, they brought him back into the squad.
Over the course of his IPL career so far:
- Matches played: 177
- Total runs: 4704
- Batting average: 30.95
- Strike rate: 139.05
- Centuries: 3
Some of his best seasons include:
- 2021 – 484 runs
- 2022 – 458 runs
- 2024 – 531 runs
These performances cemented his reputation as one of the most exciting Indian batters in the IPL.
A Shocking Move to Chennai Super Kings
This season, however, fans will witness something unusual.
When Rajasthan Royals play their first match on March 30, Sanju Samson will be standing on the opposite side — wearing the famous yellow jersey of Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
His move to CSK was one of the biggest transfers of the season.
With MS Dhoni nearing retirement, CSK appears to be preparing for the future. Sanju Samson could be the ideal successor — not just as a wicketkeeper but also potentially as a future captain.
While CSK has already announced Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain for this season, many believe that leadership changes could happen in the coming years.
Rajasthan Royals’ New Leadership
With Sanju gone, Rajasthan Royals have already named Riyan Parag as their new captain.
Parag is expected to bat at number three, a crucial position in the lineup. Last season, when Sanju missed a few games, Parag had already stepped in as captain, giving him some leadership experience.
This season, the Royals will be hoping he can deliver both as a captain and as a key batsman.
Explosive Opening Pair
One area where Rajasthan Royals look extremely strong is their opening combination.
The team will likely open with:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a teenage sensation who made headlines last season by scoring a century at just 15 years old. Since then, he has continued to impress across various competitions.
Paired with the aggressive Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajasthan could have one of the most dangerous opening partnerships in the league.
Middle Order Strength
The middle order will play a crucial role this season.
At number four, West Indies power hitter Shimron Hetmyer is expected to take charge. Hetmyer proved during the recent T20 World Cup that he can perform in the top order as well.
At number five, Dhruv Jurel will likely take over wicketkeeping duties following Samson’s departure. Jurel faced criticism last season for inconsistent finishing, so this year will be important for him to prove his value.
All-Round Depth in the Squad
Rajasthan Royals have also strengthened their squad with several all-rounders.
- Sam Curran – English seam-bowling all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.
- Ravindra Jadeja – the experienced Indian all-rounder who has joined the Royals after many years with CSK.
- Donovan Ferreira – a powerful South African all-rounder who could play the finisher’s role.
Bowling Attack
The Royals’ bowling lineup also looks solid.
Key bowlers expected in the playing XI include:
- Ravi Bishnoi – specialist leg spinner
- Jofra Archer – England’s fast-bowling star
- Sandeep Sharma – experienced Indian pacer
Meanwhile, Malayalam cricketer Vignesh Puthur may have to start the season on the bench.
Probable Rajasthan Royals Playing XI (Without Sanju Samson)
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Riyan Parag (Captain)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- Sam Curran
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Donovan Ferreira
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Jofra Archer
- Sandeep Sharma
A New Chapter Begins
For Rajasthan Royals fans, the upcoming IPL season will feel very different.
Sanju Samson was more than just a captain — he was the heart of the franchise for over a decade. Watching the Royals without him will take some getting used to.
But cricket is always evolving. New leaders emerge, young stars rise, and teams reinvent themselves.
The big question now is simple:
Can Rajasthan Royals succeed in the post-Sanju Samson era?
The IPL 2026 season is about to give us the answer.
