
Sanju Samson prepares for Asia Cup 2025 with Kerala Police athletes, India star says ‘not easy' amid rumours of RR exit
Samson had been in the headlines for quite sometime as the Rajasthan Royals is tipped to leave the IPL franchise after eight years. Taking to Instagram, Samson posted a picture of him relaxing with the Kerala Police athletes at Chandrashekaran Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Sanju Samson's Instagram story.
Samson had been in top form since October last year, smashing three hundreds within a month. The last time Samson played for India in T20Is was during the five-match home series against England, just before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 where he managed just 51 runs.
According to several reports, the India squad for the Asia Cup 2025 is set to be picked up by BCCI within August 19 or 20 as the Indian board awaits fitness reports of players from the BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE).
However, Samson didn't had a great IPL 2025 as the Rajasthan Royals skipper battled injury during the whole tournament. He played as a pure batter in the first three games, before being ruled out towards the end of the tournament. In nine matches in IPL 2025, Samson could only score 285 runs with a highest of 66 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
8 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
CSK have to trade R Ashwin and... for Sanju Samson: Chennai offered way out to enforce 'transition from MS Dhoni'
Former Chennai Super Kings star Robin Uthappa reacted to media reports claiming all was not well between Sanju Samson and Rajasthan Royals, prompting the captain to ask the franchise to release or trade him ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Uthappa said that, considering RR's decisions during the IPL 2025 season, Samson's reported move was always a writing on the wall. Sanju Samson is reportedly set to part ways with Rajasthan Royals(PTI) Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa pointed out that the Rajasthan Royals already have promising players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Riyan Parag filling key batting positions. He questioned where that leaves Samson, suggesting the captain would likely be pushed down to the number four spot—a role he might not want, given that he opens for India. Uthappa further explained that the wicketkeeper-batter probably saw this as a 'writing on the wall,' especially with RR's tendency to back their youngsters. He added that Samson may be trying to stay ahead of the curve by seeking a move now, aiming to open elsewhere and maintain his spot at the top of India's batting order. Uthappa said: "They have both Yashasvi, who has done really well for them, and Suryavanshi has absolutely smacked it out of the park, and Riyan Parag likes to bat at number three. Where does that leave Sanju Samson? A number four spot. Would I want to bat at number four when I am opening for India? Absolutely not. From his perspective, he probably felt that perhaps that won't change at RR, and they back their youngsters, quite a bit, don't they?" "That has been the culture there at RR. So he probably sees it as a writing on the wall, perhaps, and so perhaps, he's trying to get a little bit ahead of the curve a little bit and say, 'let me move now' so that I can go elsewhere and open the batting and still vie for that position at the top of the order in the Indian team. So that's perhaps a small reasoning as well". Uthappa finds a way out for CSK Media reports on Samson's departure from Rajasthan Royals also revealed that Chennai Super Kings have openly expressed interest in signing the India star, viewing him as a perfect replacement for MS Dhoni. However, with Samson's current valuation at INR 18 crore, a trade deal might prove difficult. Just days after the Samson reports, speculation arose that Ravichandran Ashwin might part ways with CSK, fueling rumours of a potential trade between RR and Chennai involving the two players. Although Ashwin clarified why such a trade may not materialise—citing his contract being half Samson's value—Robin Uthappa suggested a solution. He proposed that if Chennai are serious about acquiring Samson, they could trade both Ashwin and Vijay Shankar in exchange for the India batter. "CSK for sure. If they are able to get him and if they are able to snap him up, then it'll do really well for him. I think the transition of MS Dhoni to the next wicketkeeper, they already have in Sanju, so that is already taken care of. Otherwise, they would have to look at, say, at this point, say Devon Conway as a wicketkeeping option. But if he comes onboard, there is a lot of good that can happen for CSK," he said. "What they don't have? They only have Shimron Hetmyer at six. They don't have a finisher at number six or seven. Maybe Sam Curran. Vijay Shankar could be the one who goes with Ashwin as well. That could happen. He's a pretty decent bowler, but they haven't utilised him." "I think perhaps Rajasthan also feel Sanju doesn't want to be there anymore, so if a player doesn't want to be there, why do we have to keep him? Give him what he wants. In that sense, I think it makes sense for them," Uthappa said.


Hindustan Times
8 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Chinnaswamy Stadium set to lose Women's World Cup matches as KSCA under scanner for not getting police clearance
Bengaluru has been dealt a major setback ahead of the Women's World Cup, with the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium reportedly set to miss out on hosting matches for the marquee ICC tournament starting September 30, 2025. The Karnataka State Cricket Association is under the scanner as the failed to get the police clearance by August 10. An aerial view of M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.(PTI) According to a report on PTI, the BCCI had directed the KSCA to secure the required clearances by last Saturday, but local police officials confirmed that the process remains incomplete as of August 12. The report further suggested that the Greenfields Stadium in Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, has emerged as a possible alternative venue to host the matches scheduled in Bengaluru. M Chinnaswamy Stadium was originally set to host tournament's opening game featuring India on September 30. It is also the venue for four other matches between England and South Africa (October 3), India and Bangladesh (October 26), the second semifinal on October 30, and the final on November 2. The Karnataka government's tough approach has cast doubt over the city's future as a venue for major events, especially with the T20 World Cup scheduled for early next year and the IPL. The government recently denied permission for the Maharaja Cup, which was subsequently moved to Mysuru. The KSCA had to shift the ongoing Maharajah T20 Trophy to Mysuru even after deciding to conduct it behind closed doors at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The state body was forced to move the tournament after the one-man D'Cunha Commission deemed the Chinnaswamy Stadium "unsafe" for large-scale events. The state government appointed the commission to inquire into the stampede on June 4 here, in which people died and several others were injured during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL victory celebrations. According to ICC regulations, the host association must hand over the stadium to the global governing body at least 30 days before the tournament starts, with no other matches allowed during that window. Despite this, the Greenfields Stadium is slated to stage Kerala Cricket League (KCL) fixtures from August 21 to September 7. However, KCA officials remain optimistic that the T20 games can be shifted to an alternate venue if the World Cup fixtures are allotted to them. "We have backup venues, if the World Cup matches are shifted here. But as of now we are waiting for a final confirmation," sources close to the development told PTI.


The Hindu
8 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Udhayanidhi Stalin presents medals to winners of Asian Surfing Championship 2025
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday handed over prizes to winners of the Asian Surfing Championship 2025 that concluded in Mamallapuram. The Tamil Nadu government has been financially supporting this event for the past four years. The Deputy CM said that for the first time in Indian Surfing history, Indian surfer Ramesh Budihal won a medal at the Asian Surfing Championship. 'We are proud that, it happened on the shores of our own Tamil Nadu'. 'Our very own Kishore from Kovalam achieved the incredible feat of reaching the semifinals, while Srikanth, also from Kovalam, advanced to the quarterfinals. In the Under-18 Boys event, 13-year-old Harish, also from Kovalam, made it to the quarterfinals—an exceptional accomplishment for someone of his age. Beyond India's achievements, the championship showcased the world-class performances from across Asia,' Mr. Udhayanidhi said. Korea's Kanoa Heejae, 17, claimed a double crown by winning both the Men's Open and Boys Under-18 titles, the Deputy CM said. He also appreciated Japan's Anri Matsuno, who emerged as the Women's Open champion. This year's event brought together 112 surfers from 19 countries, supported by 60 officials, including 25 judges and event officials. Minister T.M. Anbarasan, legislators S.R. Raja, I. Karunanithi and senior officials were also present.