Inaugural season champions Rajasthan Royals have decided to retain skipper Sanju Samson ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022, stated a report in ESPNcricinfo, as the elegant batter, who can also keep wickets, has agreed for a salary of INR 14 crores.
This will continue Samson’s longstanding association with the Rajasthan franchise. The player made his Premier League debut for RR back in 2013, and barring the two seasons in 2016 and 2017 when the franchise was suspended, has played all of his IPL career for RR only.
Samson returned to the Royals set-up in 2018 when the franchise bought him for INR 8 crores and has since gone on to achieve the status of an experienced head in the side. He was made captain of the team earlier this year.
The undoubtedly talented cricketer couldn’t bring too much of a change in RR’s fortunes – as they finished seventh in IPL 2021 with five wins from 14 games – but he personally showcased better consistency with the bat.
Notorious for missing out on runs despite his incredible talent, Samson finally had a campaign where he fulfilled his potential, scoring 484 runs at an average of 40.33 and strike-rate of 136.72.
With Samson set to be retained, all eyes are on RR’s other three retentions ahead of the expanded 10-team IPL 2022. IPL teams are allowed to retain a maximum of four players, out of which only two can be from overseas.
In keeping all four retention spots and players with them, a franchise stands to lose INR 42 crores, which would leave it with only 48 crores in its total purse to rebuild a squad for the next year’s tournament at the auction.
The window in which IPL teams will have to confirm their final retentions closes on November 30. It is believed that England stars Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Indian uncapped opener Yashasvi Jaiswal are the front-runners for RR among their retention candidates.
Buttler and Stokes have been integral to the Royals over the last three years. Their absence was felt massively by the franchise during the UAE leg of IPL 2021.
