Shreyas Iyer Replacing Sanju Samson as Rajasthan Royals Captain? IPL 2026 Rumours

Updated: November 14, 2025 | Author: Cricket Hub

What’s the Buzz?

As the excitement builds for IPL 2026, one rumour has suddenly taken over discussions across cricket groups, social media, and fan forums. Reports suggest that Rajasthan Royals (RR) are considering a major leadership change. According to several sources, the franchise may remove Sanju Samson from the captaincy role and hand the responsibility to Shreyas Iyer.

The idea of replacing a long-standing leader like Samson is surprising, but insiders claim the team management has been exploring a fresh strategic direction. Iyer’s organised mindset, calm temperament, and proven leadership record have reportedly caught RR’s attention, making this rumour strong enough to spark serious debate among fans.

RR’s Perspective

Rajasthan Royals have been a competitive side over the last few seasons, but inconsistency at key moments has often held them back. This has led to speculation that the franchise might be open to a leadership reset. If RR is evaluating a potential switch, here’s how the move could work for or against them.

Advantages:

• Leadership experience: Shreyas Iyer has captained Delhi Capitals with confidence, guiding them to playoffs and even a final. His approach could bring more structure to RR’s on-field decision making.
• Stability in the middle order: As captain, Iyer naturally becomes the steady presence in the batting lineup, something RR has struggled with at times.
• Sharper tactics: Iyer is known for analytical field placements and clear bowling plans, which may help RR tighten areas where they tend to lose momentum.

Disadvantages:

• Impact on Samson: Taking away Samson’s captaincy could affect his morale and possibly his batting rhythm. He has been the face of RR for years, and such a shift may not be easy.
• Chemistry concerns: RR’s core group has played under Samson for a long time. A sudden change can create uncertainty or temporary imbalance inside the dressing room.
• Fan reaction: Samson is one of the most loved captains in modern IPL. Removing him could cause a mixed response from the fanbase.

Why Shreyas Iyer’s Name Is Trending

Shreyas Iyer’s name stands out in this rumour for more than one reason. Over the last two seasons, his role in the IPL has seen its share of ups and downs due to injuries and team adjustments. However, one thing that has always been constant is his leadership quality. He brings calmness during pressure and clarity during tactical decisions.

RR may feel that this is the perfect time to bring in a captain who prefers a systematic approach. Iyer is known for reading match situations well and planning his bowling changes with purpose. His leadership style is quite different from Samson’s instinctive and expressive approach. The franchise might believe that a more controlled and predictable style could benefit them in high-stakes moments.

Impact on Other Teams

If the captaincy change actually happens, it won’t just affect Rajasthan Royals. Other franchises, especially Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), will also take note. Every team prepares match plans based on how RR operates. A new captain could mean a completely new pattern in RR’s powerplay decisions, field setups, match tempo, and batting order structure.

Iyer’s presence as captain might also influence how opponents use their bowlers against RR. His strategies tend to slow down the opposition’s plans by bringing discipline and calculated risks. Teams may need to refresh their plans while facing RR under a new leader.

Next Steps

1. RR management must decide internally whether they want a captaincy change before heading into the season.
2. Sanju Samson’s new role will have to be defined clearly—whether he continues as a senior batsman, vice-captain, or mentor figure in certain phases.
3. Once the official announcement comes, the entire team structure for IPL 2026 will be reworked around the chosen leader.

Conclusion

If Rajasthan Royals decide to appoint Shreyas Iyer as captain, it will easily become one of the biggest leadership shifts ahead of IPL 2026. The move could strengthen RR’s tactical foundation, but it also brings emotional and strategic risks. Fans are now waiting for an official update, and until then, this rumour will remain one of the hottest topics in the IPL world.