Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson admitted that letting Jos Buttler go before the IPL 2025 auction was one of the most difficult decisions he had to make.
Buttler played for RR from 2018 to 2024 and became their leading run-scorer with 3055 runs in 83 matches, averaging 41.84 with a strike rate of 147.79. Rajasthan Royals retained six players for the 2025 season, but Buttler was not among them and was eventually signed by Gujarat Titans at the mega auction.
Samson told Jiostar, “The IPL provides an opportunity to lead a team and compete at the highest level, and it also allows you to form strong friendships. Jos Buttler is one of my closest friends. We played together for seven years. Our time batting together was so extensive that we got to know each other very well. He was like an older brother to me. Whenever I had doubts, I would consult him. When I became captain in 2021, he served as my vice-captain and helped me grow into a better leader.”
“Letting him go was one of the most challenging decisions for me. During the England series, I mentioned to him over dinner that I was still not over it. If I could change one rule in the IPL, it would be the rule of releasing players every three years. While it has its advantages, personally, you lose the connection and relationship built over the years. He was part of the family. What else can I say?”
Despite Buttler’s departure, Samson is enthusiastic about collaborating with Rahul Dravid again, who is returning to RR as coach. Dravid was RR’s captain when Samson made his IPL debut in 2013 and served as the team’s mentor for the following two seasons.
“Rahul sir was the one who discovered me during the trials,” Samson recalled. “He approached me and asked, ‘Can you play for my team?’ From that moment to now, with me being the franchise captain and him returning – I am very grateful, and we all in the franchise are, to have Rahul sir back. I have played under him as a player at RR when he was captain and in the Indian team when he was the coach. However, a captain-coach relationship is very special, and I am eager to learn a lot from him.”
“He is a top professional and ensures everything is done correctly. I was with him last month in Nagpur at RR’s sports academy. From ten in the morning to five in the evening, he was in the heat, observing batsmen and bowlers, interacting with them, and discussing with the coaches. He is fully involved in every aspect. I believe preparation plays a significant role in his character, and that is something I need to learn more about.”
Meanwhile, Dravid sustained a minor foot injury while playing cricket in Bengaluru. The franchise announced that he is recovering well and is expected to join the squad in Jaipur on Wednesday.
‘Vaibhav Suryavanshi Looks Ready for IPL’ – Samson
Samson was 18 when he made his IPL debut. This time, RR has an even younger player in their squad: 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Does Samson have any advice for Suryavanshi?
“I prefer not to give advice,” Samson stated. “My approach to a young player is to observe what he enjoys, how he wants to play cricket, and ask what kind of support he needs from me. Then I work around that.”
“But he seems very confident. He was hitting sixes out of the academy ground. So, what more can I do? I think it’s about understanding his strength, supporting it, and being there as an older brother.”
“He looks ready. I believe it’s about keeping him in the best shape and a relaxed environment, which RR is known for, and then backing him. You never know, he might play for India in a couple of years. I feel he is ready to play in the IPL and make an impact.”
