The Rajasthan Royals have long been associated with Sanju Samson. Samson hasn’t represented Rajasthan Royals in as many IPL games. No player has scored more runs for Rajasthan in the IPL than Samson. In the IPL, he is currently second only to the late great Shane Warne in terms of appearances as the RR captain. Yet, this is only his second assignment with Rajasthan. Samson previously played for Rajasthan before signing a two-season IPL contract with the Delhi franchise. Before of the away game against RCB, Samson recounted how he won his first RR contract by winning over the legendary Rahul Dravid.
Samson, Sanju, and Dravid
Samson was a member of the player pool that KKR named in 2009 before the IPL season that year. He was signed by the team in 2012, but he did not play. The following year, he moved to Rajasthan Royals, where he made his IPL debut.
In a recent interview with Star Sports, Samson disclosed that his Kerala teammate Sreesanth, a senior Indian cricketer who joined the squad the same year, took him for RR trials.
The Indian star admitted that during the two-day tryout, while being closely observed by Dravid and Paddy Upton, he performed unlike anyone else. At that point, an enthusiastic Dravid approached him and suggested that he join the RR team.
“I was taken to the RR trials by Sreesanth. There was David. And there was Paddy Upton. Because I didn’t know what kind of players they were searching for, I wasn’t anticipating much from the trials. The trial lasted for two days even though Because I never batted like this again, it was incredibly unique. When Rahul Sir arrived, he said, “Without a doubt, you’re doing great. Do you want to compete for RR?” Given that it came from Rahul sir, that provided me a significant confidence boost. I am good enough if a legend like him declares that I am.”
Samson spent three seasons with the team before leaving for Delhi and coming back to Rajasthan in 2018. Later appointed captain in 2021, he led the group to their first IPL championship since winning in 2008 last season.