New Delhi, March 12: Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson is still not over Jos Buttler no longer being part of the team, and if he had his way, he would do away with the rule of releasing players in the IPL.
Samson and Buttler opened batting for Royals for seven years but they did not retain the Englishman ahead of the mega auction last year.
Buttler will play for Gujarat Titans in the upcoming IPL.
“The IPL gives you the opportunity to lead a team and play at the highest level, and it also allows you to build close friendships,” Samson told Jiostar.
“Jos Buttler is one of my closest friends. We played together for seven years. During this time, our batting partnership time itself is so long that we got to know each other so well.
“He has been like an elder brother to me. Whenever I had a doubt, I would talk to him. When I became captain [in 2021], he was my vice-captain and helped me become a good captain.” Samson said letting go of Buttler was one of the hardest decision he has had to make. Royals had retained six players, including Samson, Yashavi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer and Sandeep Sharma.
“Letting him go has been one of the most challenging decisions for me. During the England series, I told him over dinner that I was still not over it. If I could change one thing in the IPL, I would change the rule of releasing players every three years,” he said.
“While it has its positives, on a personal level, you lose that connect, that relation you built over years. He was a part of the family. What more can I say?”
While Buttler will not be around in Royals dugout, Samson is happy about reuniting with head coach Rahul Dravid. (PTI)
