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The Rajasthan Royals‘ recent IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals has gone from being a thrilling cricket encounter to a hotbed of controversy. After losing the game in a dramatic Super Over finish, all eyes have now turned toward what’s happening behind the scenes—more specifically, a suspected fallout between skipper Sanju Samson and RR’s head coach Rahul Dravid.
The Royals, batting first, posted 188 runs. The Capitals matched the score, forcing a Super Over. What followed wasn’t just a loss on the scoreboard, but one that has possibly opened cracks in RR’s camp.
Notably, Nitish Rana, who smashed a fluent 51 off 28 balls, was left out of the Super Over lineup. Instead, the management sent in Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, and Riyan Parag—a decision that stunned fans and critics alike, especially considering Rana’s form and finishing abilities. The Super Over strategy didn’t click, with RR posting just 11 runs and suffering two crucial run-outs.
Viral video raises questions over a rift between Sanju Samson and Rahul Dravid
While the result itself was enough to stir up discussion, a video circulating on social media has added fuel to the fire. The footage shows head coach Dravid and bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule leading a team huddle ahead of the Super Over. Samson, though present in the frame, appears detached from the group and walks away when approached by a teammate. While some fans believe the skipper might have been mentally preparing for the tense finish, others have speculated a possible disconnect between him and the coaching staff.
Here is the video:
I knew there was definitely a rift within the setup when there were absolutely no discussions or chat in the dugout before the super over.Everyone was standing quite in a circle in the dugout.Look at Sanju's hand signal in the first video,he is deliberately ignoring everyone.
— Delhi Capitals Fan (@pantiyerfc)
Also READ: IPL 2025: Fans express outrage as Mitchell Starc’s no-ball during DC vs RR reignites umpiring double standards debate
Is Samson being sidelined?
While nothing has been officially confirmed, fans have started wondering whether Samson, despite being the captain, is being overruled by the coaching staff in major decision-making. If true, it could point toward a lack of alignment between Samson and Dravid—something no team can afford in a high-stakes tournament like the IPL.
As of now, neither the Royals nor Samson has issued a statement regarding the incident. However, the online chatter continues to grow, with fans and pundits dissecting the body language and decisions made during the high-pressure moment.
