Sanju Samson, the top scorer in Rajasthan Royals history and one of their most successful captains, has opened up about his deep connection with the franchise in a recent podcast with former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin.
From teenage debut to franchise cornerstone
Samson made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with the Royals in 2013 as a fresh-faced teenager, winning the Emerging Player of the Season award in his maiden campaign. Apart from a brief stint away, he has remained a mainstay of the team, building an unparalleled legacy over the years.
“Rajasthan Royals has meant the world to me. A small child coming from a village in Kerala, wanting to show his talent,” Samson recalled. “And then Rahul (Dravid) sir and Manoj Badale sir gave me a stage to get up and show the world what I am made of.”
He credited the Royals for their faith in him during his formative years: “That time, they trusted me throughout. The journey with Rajasthan Royals has been really great, and I’m very grateful to have been in a franchise like that. It really means a lot to me.”
Records and leadership milestones
Adored by fans, teammates, and support staff, Samson has delivered consistently with the bat while leading the team to significant achievements. He is the leading run-scorer in Royals history with 4,027 runs in 149 IPL matches at an average of 31.70 and a strike rate of 141.24.
Including Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) appearances, Samson’s tally rises to 4,219 runs from 150 innings at an average of 31.96 and a strike rate of 140.53. He has played the most seasons (11) for the Royals and holds the record for most wins as captain (33).
Best IPL season and near title glory
IPL 2024 was Samson’s best season with the bat, amassing 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46. Under his leadership, the Royals also reached the IPL final in 2022 for only the second time in their history.
With his consistent performances and strong bond with the franchise, Samson remains a central figure in the Royals’ ambitions for future IPL glory.
