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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is just days away, and Rajasthan Royals have made a surprising captaincy change ahead of the tournament. Sanju Samson, the regular captain of RR, will not lead the team for the first three matches as he continues to recover from a finger injury. Instead, the franchise has appointed young batter Riyan Parag as the stand-in captain.
While Samson will continue to play as a specialist batter, RR’s management decided to hand over the leadership to Riyan Parag until he fully recovers and gets clearance to resume wicketkeeping and fielding duties.
Sanju Samson’s Injury Update and RR’s Captaincy Change
Sanju Samson suffered a finger fracture during India’s T20I series against England in February 2025. The injury forced him to undergo surgery, and although he has made significant progress, he has not yet been cleared for wicketkeeping and fielding.
To avoid further risk, Rajasthan Royals announced that Riyan Parag will lead the team for the first three matches while Samson will only bat as an Impact Player if needed.
RR confirmed in a statement:
“Sanju Samson, an integral part of the Royals setup, will remain a key contributor with the bat until he gets cleared for wicketkeeping and fielding. He will return as captain once fully fit.”
Samson, who joined the RR camp on March 18, reunited with head coach Rahul Dravid and started his recovery training.
Why Riyan Parag Was Chosen as RR’s Stand-in Captain?
Riyan Parag’s appointment as captain for the first three matches is a bold move by Rajasthan Royals. At just 23 years old, he will become the youngest captain in IPL history.
The franchise’s decision to back Parag comes after his strong domestic performances and leadership experience. He has previously captained Assam in domestic cricket and has been part of RR’s squad since 2019.
Last season, Parag scored 573 runs in 16 matches at an impressive strike rate of nearly 150, making it his best IPL performance to date. His contributions earned him an India call-up, where he played in nine T20Is and one ODI.
“Riyan Parag has been a crucial part of the Royals setup over the years. His understanding of the team’s dynamic makes him well-equipped to step into this role for the initial phase of the tournament.” – Rajasthan Royals’ Statement
Rajasthan Royals’ First Three IPL 2025 Matches
RR will play their first three games without Samson as captain but with him in the playing XI as a batter.
| Match | Date | Venue | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR vs SRH | March 23, 2025 | Hyderabad | Riyan Parag |
| RR vs KKR | March 26, 2025 | Guwahati | Riyan Parag |
| RR vs CSK | March 30, 2025 | Guwahati | Riyan Parag |
Samson is expected to regain captaincy from April 2 onwards, once he gets full clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
How Will Rajasthan Royals Adjust Without Samson as Captain?
RR has a strong squad and several experienced players who can support Riyan Parag during his captaincy stint.
- Wicketkeeping duties will likely be shared between Dhruv Jurel and Samson (as an Impact Player if needed).
- Vikram Rathour (batting coach) recently confirmed that RR has been preparing for Samson’s limited role and has a strategy in place.
