Sanju Samson had become face of Rajasthan Royals, losing him is massive: Faf du Plessis
- The Rajasthan Royals enter the 19th IPL season with a new look, losing talismanic opener Sanju Samson to the Chennai Super Kings while bringing back veteran Ravindra Jadeja to the squad.
- Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said losing the franchise "face" is a "massive thing" for fans, as Samson served as the team's marquee player for over a decade.
- Following Samson's exit, Yashasvi Jaiswal faces increased responsibility to score runs, while Sam Curran adds versatility and balance to support the team's leadership group.
- Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji called appointing Riyan Parag captain a "gamble," though head coach Kumar Sangakkara provides guidance as the young leader attempts to earn the dressing room's trust.
- After impressing during his debut, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faces a "challenge" in his second season, with Balaji noting that opposition teams are now better prepared for the young batter's tactics.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Will Yashasvi Jaiswal change batting approach after Sanju Samson's exit? Faf du Plessis analyses
In a blockbuster trade deal with Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals signed Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in exchange for Sanju Samson. The keeper-batter was one of the most dependable batters in the side and also led the team to the IPL final in 2022, but his association with the franchise turned bitter in the past year, leading to a deal with CSK. The reshuffle leaves Rajasthan with questions at the top of the order. Yashasvi Jaiswal is exp…
‘He was the face of RR’: Faf du Plessis on Rajasthan Royals missing Sanju Samson in IPL 2026
Faf du Plessis said: "If I look at the IPL and the teams, the iconic teams we see around the league, all of them have one marquee Indian player in common, someone who has been the face of the franchise for a period of time: Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli. And Sanju Samson, for me, was that guy at Rajasthan Royals"
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