Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has added that Sanju Samson might be wishing to leave the Rajasthan Royals (RR) because one camp within the franchise could be pushing hard to give the leadership role to Riyan Parag as well. He further added that head coach Rahul Dravid might have also left the franchise for
the same reason as well.
Reflecting on the development in a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Something is not right. Firstly, the last auction was not right. After that, the last tournament didn’t go well. Then the news came that Sanju Samson wants to leave and after that, the news came that Rahul Dravid has left.”
“The news emanating is that there was a question over leadership. Apparently there are a few camps in that camp, of which one is pushing hard that Riyan Parag should be the captain. If one group is pressurizing a lot that only Riyan should be made captain, Sanju Samson would wish to leave. Rahul Dravid might have the same point of view,” he again shared.
“They said Rahul Dravid was given a broader, bigger role and he denied it. I don’t know what the broader, bigger role was, but more often than not, when a broader, bigger role is given to a big personality, the designation is big in that role, but the job is limited. You reduce the actual involvement suddenly, and that is where the big-statured player says he is done,” Chopra observed.
However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Ravichandran Ashwin could replace Rahul Dravid as the Rajasthan Royals head coach as well.
“Rahul might have refused because of pressure (of making Riyan Parag the captain) and Sanju is refusing now, so Ravichandran Ashwin might become the coach. I am just thinking aloud because the guy is available. He has registered himself in ILT20, and I think he will get picked. However, along with that, he could be the coach. He can do coaching as there is no other league being played at the time of the IPL. Ravichandran Ashwin’s inputs will be excellent, and Rajasthan will search for a coach in any case because Rahul Dravid has left,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
