After releasing Steve Smith ahead of IPL 2021 auctions in Chennai earlier this year, Rajasthan Royals have appointed dynamic wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson as their new captain. Samson, who has been part of the RR franchise since 2013 after representing the now-defunct Delhi Daredevils (DD) in 2016-17, will have a lot on his plate to take the side forward after they managed a bottom-spot finish in IPL 2020.

Meanwhile, this will be the first time Sanju Samson will be leading an IPL side and a lot of eyes will be on him when Rajasthan Royals begin their campaign on April 11 against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Over the years, he has played under various captains and will look to pick their brains as he gears up to embark on a new journey.

I got congratulatory messages from Virat, Rohit, and Mahi bhai – Sanju Samson

Ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ season-opener, Sanju Samson recalled the congratulatory texts he got from Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma after being named as the Royals captain.

“It was tough keeping it to myself,” he said. “I got some nice congratulatory messages from Virat bhai, Rohit bhai and Mahi bhai”, Sanju revealed.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson started IPL 2020 with a bang but lost the plot as the tournament progressed. He would like to address this issue and go all-out in the entire edition as Rajasthan look to bring home their 2nd IPL title after winning the inaugurating season in 2008.

However, they will miss the service of star English pacer Jofra Archer in the first half of IPL 2021. Archer, who was a part of the England squad that toured India has now gone back to the country to nurse an injury on his right elbow. The injury has been bothering him for long which aggravated during the recently-concluded series which also forced him to sit out in a couple of games.