Sanju Samson was India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the Asia Cup 2025, and now the cricketer from Kerala will be India’s first-choice stumper in the upcoming five-match T20I series between India and Australia
as well. Ahead of travelling to Australia for the five T20Is, the first match of which is set to take place at Manuka Oval in Canberra on October 29, Samson is training with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) throw-down specialist Gabriel.
The picture of Samson with Gabriel after a recent training session is now going viral on the internet, and it has created buzz among fans.
Some of them believe that Samson, who has reportedly expressed his desire to leave Rajasthan Royals, is joining the IPL 2025 champions.
Samson to quit RR because…
According to a report by Cricbuzz in August 2025, Samson, who is the captain of RR in the world’s richest franchise cricket league, formally requested the franchise to trade or release him into the auction. It was reported that “there have apparently been many issues of differences between RR and Samson, one of which was the management’s decision to release Jos Buttler.”
The former England white-ball captain was not retained by the Jaipur-based franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction despite him scoring 3055 runs in 83 matches for the Royals in seven IPL seasons.
“Letting him go has been one of the most challenging decisions for me. During the England series, I told him over dinner that I was still not over it. If I could change one thing in the IPL, I would change the rule of releasing players every three years,” Samson had told Star Sports before IPL 2025 season.
It was also reported in August that the Royals are ready to trade Samson ahead and have written to multiple franchises to enquire about their interest in signing Samson. RR owner Manoj Badale even “mentioned the names of specific players from different franchises that the Royals are keen on, in exchange for Samson.”
