Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson. Photo: Special Arrangement Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson. Photo: Special Arrangement

The start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is just a week away and Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has said that letting go of wicketkeeper-opener Jos Buttlerheroijogo, was the toughest thing for him. (More Cricket News)

Samson said that if he had the powers to change the rules in the IPL, then he would change of never releasing players from the franchise.

Indeed, Girona had three big chances (defined by Opta as an opportunity from which a player would reasonably be expected to score), and accumulated 2.22 expected goals (xG).

RR retained the likes of Samson, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction which meant that the Englishman was snapped up by Gujarat Titans for the upcoming season, starting from March 22.

"IPL gives you the opportunity to lead a team and play at the highest level, but it also allows you to build close friendships. Jos Buttler is one of my closest friends. We played together for seven years, forming a long batting partnership. We knew each other so well and always kept in touch. He was like an elder brother to me.

“When I became captain, he was my vice-captain and played a huge role in helping me lead the team. Letting him go has been one of the most challenging things for me. Even 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.

“While it has its positives, on a personal level, you lose connections and relationships built over years. It has been hard for me, the entire franchise, the owners, the coaches, and everyone associated with RR. Jos was family to us," said Samson to JioHotstar on Wednesday.

Samson also spoke on the franchise retaining key players such as Jurel, Parag and Hetmyer. "Of course, it plays a huge role. Having players who are already part of the team creates a great connection. It makes my job easier because we know each other well, both on and off the field, and that helps in better team coordination," he said.

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BY PTI

In last year's mega auction,9x999 cassino Royals signed 13-year-old batting star Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who's now the youngest player to earn an IPL deal. When asked about the advice that he will give a young talent like Suryavanshi, Samson said, "The boys of today don't lack confidence at all. They are very brave and understand the current situation of Indian cricket and the brand of cricket that needs to be played.

"For me, rather than giving advice, I prefer observing first—how a youngster wants to play his cricket, what he likes, and what kind of support he needs from me. Then, I work my way around that.

"Vaibhav looks very confident; he was hitting sixes out of the ground at the academy. People were already talking about his power-hitting. What else can you ask for? It’s all about understanding his strengths, backing him, and being there for him like an elder brother.

"I think he looks ready to contribute. The key is to keep him in the best shape and provide a relaxed environment, which is something Rajasthan Royals (RR) is known for. We ensure a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and back our players. You never know—he might end up playing for India in a couple of years. I feel he is ready for the IPL. He looks capable of landing a few solid punches here and there. Let’s see what the future holds," he elaborated.

Samson also spoke on the time he spent with former Team India skipper MS Dhoni. He said, "Like every young Indian cricketer, I always wanted to be around MS Dhoni. Every time we played against CSK, I wanted to sit and talk to him, ask him how he does things.

“It was a dream for me. I remember playing a match against CSK in Sharjah, where I finally performed well, scored around 70-80 runs, won the game, and became the Man of the Match. After that, I met Mahi bhai, and since then, our relationship has grown. Even now, I meet him often. Just yesterday, I met him again. It’s truly a blessed feeling—to go from idolising him to now sitting with him for shoots and events. I feel like I’m living my dream," he concluded.

Rajasthan Royals begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23.heroijogo