Sanju Samson will not captain the Rajasthan Royals in their first three matches of IPL 2025 and will instead play as a specialist batter. Here's why.
RR faced a huge blow ahead of IPL 2025 as they will be without their regular captain, Sanju Samson, for the first three matches. Young all-rounder Riyan Parag has been entrusted with the leadership duties. Parag will lead RR against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26, and Chennai Super Kings on March 30.
IPL 2025: Samson not fully fit
The franchise confirmed that Samson is yet to get clearance for wicketkeeping and fielding and will only return to captain the side once he is fit.
"Sanju Samson, an integral part of the Royals set-up, will remain a key contributor with the bat till he gets cleared for wicket-keeping and fielding. He will return as captain once fully fit," read a statement from RR.
Samson suffered a finger injury during India’s home T20I series against England in February after copping blow from a Jofra Archer bouncer. Since then he has undergone surgery and went to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to recover before joining RR's first practice session on Monday (March 18).
Youngest Rajasthan Royals Captain ✅
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) March 20, 2025
Fourth-youngest IPL captain ✅
Riyan Parag is set to join an elite list as he will lead the Royals in their first three games.#RiyanParag #IPL2025 #Cricket
Check the full list here ➡️ https://t.co/Wd1YlquHue pic.twitter.com/TzTUueGhL4
"I am not completely fit for the next three games. There are lot of leaders in this group. In the last few years, some great people have taken care of this environment really nicely. For the next three games, Riyan will lead the team," Samson said.
Dhruv Jurel will most likely be taking the wicketkeeping duties in Samson’s absence.
This will be the first time Parag will lead the side after beginning his IPL career for the same franchise in 2019. He had a breakthrough season last year in which he scored 573 runs in 16 matches at an average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.22. The performance earned him call-ups in India’s T20I and ODI sides.
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