Sports Live Updates: Sanju Samson’s Future with Rajasthan Royals in Doubt Ahead of IPL 2025

Sanju Samson has reportedly asked Rajasthan Royals to release or trade him ahead of IPL 2025 due to serious differences with the team management. Despite being RR’s most capped player, leading run-scorer, and captain since 2021, tensions have reportedly escalated. Close sources say Samson no longer wishes to stay. However, Rajasthan Royals maintain he remains their “undisputed captain” and part of future plans. The final decision could significantly impact the franchise’s IPL 2025 strategy.

After months of uncertainty due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, the schedule for the 2025 Asia Cup was officially unveiled on July 26 by Mohsin Naqvi, who heads both the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Asian Cricket Council.

India and Pakistan are set to clash in the same group, joined by UAE and Oman. The other group features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. Bangladesh and Afghanistan have also announced their preliminary squads.

Afghanistan name preliminary squad for tri-series and Asia Cup
Afghanistan preliminary squad: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Zadran, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq, Farid Malik, Saleem Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad.

Bangladesh prelim squad for Asia Cup 2025: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Md Naim Sheikh, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Md Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Md Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Md Shamim Hossain, Md Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Md Rishad Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Md Tanvir Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Md Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Md Saifuddin, Nahid Rana, Md Mustafizur Rahman, Md Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankon, Mohammed Saif Hassan.

As per reports, Pakistan has withdrawn from the Asia Cup hockey tournament in Rajgir, Bihar, scheduled from August 29 to September 7. Despite India being ready to grant visas, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) cited security concerns. The decision comes amid recent border tensions between the two nations. Bangladesh has been invited to replace Pakistan in the tournament. Reports suggest Pakistan’s government intervened, halting the team’s travel approval process.

Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel are all out, so head coach Kevin Stefanski was also asked prior to practice whether Sanders should be getting more reps since he will be starting the preseason opener. Reports referred to Stefanski who explained that Wednesday was geared toward older players and those who were starters “Not really, I think on our younger men they are going to get most of the reps in the football game” he said.

Despite circulating reports that he might join the Chennai Super Kings or Kolkata Knight Riders, the Rajasthan Royals announced that it has no plans to make any trades, meaning that Sanju Samson will remain the team’s undisputed captain in the 2026 Indian Premier League. The action gives the Royals’ speculative setup transparency and stability.

Following an inquiry about Vitinha, Paris Saint Germain has offered Real Madrid a price tag of €130 million ($150.6 million).

When leaving the north London team, the former Tottenham player admitted that LAFC was not his first option. However, he was persuaded to change his mind by LAFC co president and general manager John Thorrington.