Riyan Parag will lead Rajasthan Royals (RR) for their first three IPL 2025 matches as Sanju Samson, recovering from a finger injury, will play as a batter until cleared for wicketkeeping and fielding duties. Samson, who underwent finger surgery last month, joined the RR squad on Monday after completing rehab at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He may play as an Impact Sub, with Dhruv Jurel likely to keep wickets. Jurel had also kept wickets for India in the fifth T20I against England after Samson injured his finger during that series. Samson will resume captaincy once fully fit, according to an RR statement.
“I’m not fully fit for the first three games,” Samson said in a video posted by RR on Instagram. “Riyan is capable of leading the team, and I expect everyone to support him.”
Parag, leading an IPL team for the first time, will become the fifth youngest captain in IPL history. He has been part of RR since 2019 and was retained for INR 14 crore before the 2024 mega auction. Parag had a stellar 2024 IPL season, scoring 573 runs, the highest for RR and the third-highest overall, which earned him T20I and ODI debuts for India.
RR’s decision to hand Parag the captaincy reflects confidence in his leadership, demonstrated during his tenure as Assam’s domestic captain. Parag led Assam to 10 wins in 17 T20 matches between 2021 and 2023, averaging 67.09 and striking at 167.72.
Parag will take charge in RR’s first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by home games against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and Chennai Super Kings on March 30, both in Guwahati.
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