After reports claimed Sanju Samson wanted to leave Rajasthan Royals, former India batter S Badrinath said, "I feel Riyan Parag is the reason." "If you consider him for captaincy, how do you expect someone like Samson to stay?" he asked. Badrinath added, "If Samson does come to Chennai Super Kings, then he could be the like-for-like replacement for MS Dhoni."