While the IPL doesn’t have its next mega event for some months from now, the speculation around trades and players’ movements is starting to get hot. One of the hot topics is the possibility of Sanju Samson leaving the Rajasthan Royals, with KKR looking to acquire him. While acquiring a talented wicketkeeper in Samson sounds good on paper, KKR should think it through and understand the ramifications of trading away two homegrown stars, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ramandeep Singh. Here’s why trading either one of them could be an issue.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Let’s start with Raghuvanshi. This 21-year-old sensation was just 19 when KKR spotted him and handed him a platform to shine in the IPL 2024. Fast forward two years, and he’s not only grown into a dependable middle-order batter but also shown glimpses of the kind of maturity rare for his age.
Sure, Sanju Samson brings experience and skill, but he’s 30 now. He might serve the team brilliantly for the next five or six years, but Raghuvanshi offers longevity and the chance to groom a true franchise icon. KKR fans love seeing young talent bloom on the big stage. Trading Raghuvanshi now would not only leave a gap in the team but also rob the squad of a future pillar.
Ramandeep Singh
Now let’s talk about Ramandeep Singh, KKR’s pace-bowling all-rounder. Ramandeep has shown sparks of brilliance, and given the right opportunities, he could easily become India’s next multi-dimensional cricketing star.
Singh is a player worth his weight in gold in the IPL lexicon. He can, through a ball, change the complexion of a game, with a bat, anchor an innings, and provide the rarity that each T20 team wishes they had (a balance). On paper, exchanging an all-rounder from right in your backyard for a starter wicketkeeper seems like a great option, but under current conditions. circumstances, it is more like exchanging a multi-tool for a Phillips screwdriver.
Loyalty Matters More Than You Think
Players switch around for money, and more money, but it is refreshing to see someone choose heart over money. Ramandeep Singh has turned down, yes turned down, franchises that were valued at one (1) for (₹10 crore contract, multiple franchises tender on delayed contracts after cutting negotiations with other franchises, and decided to STAY LOYAL to KKR for (₹4 crore).
The Knight Riders have built a legacy on the unwavering commitment of players like Russell and Narine over the past decade. Thus, now that both legends are nearing the end of their playing careers, it’s time for the new generation of players to come in. Raghuvanshi and Singh had already become fan favorites in Kolkata, embodying the spirit of KKR after being brought into the fold. Letting them go not only leaves supporters disheartened but also chips away at the franchise’s long-standing identity of backing homegrown talent and fostering loyalty.
FAQs:
- Why is KKR interested in Sanju Samson for IPL 2026?
KKR is looking to strengthen its wicketkeeping and middle-order batting options, and Samson’s experience and skill make him an attractive option.
- How old is Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and why is he important for KKR?
Raghuvanshi is 21 years old and considered a long-term asset due to his batting talent and potential to serve the team for over a decade.
- What makes Ramandeep Singh a unique player in the IPL?
He is a rare Indian pace-bowling all-rounder, capable of contributing with both bat and ball, which adds crucial balance to KKR’s squad.
- How has Ramandeep Singh shown loyalty to KKR?
He turned down bigger offers from other franchises and chose to stay with KKR for a lower fee, showing commitment to the team and its fans.
