IPL 2025: [WATCH] Sanju Samson Misses Rahul Dravid’s Team Huddle; Rift Rumour Goes Viral

Sanju Samson, captain of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), has found himself at the center of controversy following a dramatic IPL 2025 clash against the Delhi Capitals. The Royals lost in a Super Over after the scores were tied at 188 in the regulation 20 overs. Although Samson played a brisk knock of 31 off 19 balls before retiring hurt, what grabbed attention wasn’t just the on-field action—it was a post-match video that ignited speculation.

The clip shows the RR senior management, including head coach Rahul Dravid and Sairaj Bahutule, in a team huddle before the Super Over, but Samson is seen standing apart and walking away after a brief interaction with a player. This has led fans on social media to question whether there is a deeper rift brewing within the RR camp.

I knew there was definitely a rift within the setup when there were absolutely no discussions or chat in the dugout before the super over.Everyone was standing quite in a circle in the dugout.Look at Sanju's hand signal in the first video,he is deliberately ignoring everyone. https://t.co/DfxmlwGgBG pic.twitter.com/688ji3MXrS

— Delhi Capitals Fan (@pantiyerfc) April 17, 2025

Team Selection Raises Eyebrows

Fuel was added to the fire when the Royals opted not to send in-form batter Nitish Rana in the Super Over, despite his 51 off 28 balls. Instead, RR chose Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Riyan Parag. The decision backfired, as the team managed only 11 runs and suffered two run-outs.

This unusual selection choice baffled fans and raised concerns about internal team dynamics and possible communication breakdowns. Samson’s seemingly distant behavior during the huddle only added to the speculation, with social media users pointing out his hand gestures and lack of engagement as signs of potential discord.

Management Decisions Defended by Rana

At the post-match press conference, Nitish Rana addressed the Super Over controversy, clarifying that team decisions are not made unilaterally.

“This is never the decision of one person. It’s always the management and support staff,” said Rana. He defended the move, citing Hetmyer’s reputation as a proven finisher. Rana acknowledged that had Hetmyer hit a couple of sixes, questions about team selection would not have arisen.

He emphasized that cricket is a result-driven game and that such decisions are taken collectively by the captain and senior players. Rana also subtly hinted that the final result, rather than the process, is what invites scrutiny.

While no official confirmation about internal issues has surfaced, the viral video and surprising tactical choices have left fans wondering about the atmosphere within the Rajasthan Royals camp.

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