Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson shared that the most challenging decision for him was letting go of his close friend and teammate, wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler. Samson mentioned that if he could change one rule in the IPL, it would be the rule forcing teams to release players.
Rajasthan Royals decided to retain Samson, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer for the upcoming mega auction of IPL 2025. This decision meant they couldn’t retain Buttler, who will now play for Gujarat Titans in the season starting on March 22.
Samson reflected on his friendship with Buttler, saying, “IPL provides a platform to lead a team and compete at a high level, but it also helps in building strong friendships. Jos Buttler is one of my closest friends. We have played together for seven years and had a great partnership on the field. We were always in touch and he was like an elder brother to me.”
He continued, “When I became captain, Jos was my vice-captain and was a great support in leading the team. Letting him go was one of the toughest things I’ve faced. Even during the England series, I told him that I was still not over it. If I had the power, I would change the rule about releasing players.”
Samson acknowledged the positives of the rule but emphasized the personal impact, “While there are benefits to the rule, personally, you lose connections and relationships built over years. It has been difficult for me, the franchise, the owners, coaches, and everyone at Rajasthan Royals. Jos was like family to us,” Samson told JioHotstar.
Samson also highlighted the importance of retaining key players like Jurel, Parag, and Hetmyer. “It makes a big difference to have players who are already part of the team. It builds a strong connection and makes my job easier because we understand each other well, both on and off the field, which leads to better team coordination.”
Last year, Rajasthan Royals made headlines by signing 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, now the youngest player to get an IPL contract. Suryavanshi, a left-handed batsman from Bihar, also scored a century for India U19 against Australia U19.
When asked about advice for young talents like Suryavanshi, Samson responded, “Today’s young players are very confident and understand the current cricket scenario and the aggressive style of play needed in Indian cricket.”
He added, “Instead of giving advice immediately, I prefer to observe how a youngster wants to play, what they like, and what kind of support they need from me. Then, I tailor my approach accordingly.”
“Vaibhav seems very confident; he was hitting big sixes in the academy. People are already talking about his power hitting. It’s about understanding his strengths, supporting him, and being there for him as a mentor. I think he is ready to contribute. The key is to keep him in good shape and provide a relaxed environment, which Rajasthan Royals is known for. We maintain a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and support our players. He has the potential to play for India in a few years. He looks capable of making a significant impact in the IPL,” he explained.
Samson concluded by expressing his admiration for MS Dhoni. “Like every young Indian cricketer, I have always wanted to be around MS Dhoni. Every time we played against CSK, I wanted to talk to him and learn from his approach.”
“It was a dream. I remember playing a match against CSK in Sharjah where I performed well and won the Man of the Match award. After that, I met Mahi bhai, and our relationship has grown since. Even now, I meet him often. It’s a blessed feeling to go from idolizing him to now spending time with him at events. It feels like a dream come true,” he finished.
