Rajasthan Royals have been dealt a significant blow ahead of IPL 2025, as captain Sanju Samson has not yet fully recovered from his injury. As a result, the franchise has made a crucial decision, appointing star all-rounder Riyan Parag as the interim captain. Samson will play under Parag's leadership for the time being. Rajasthan Royals are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match on March 23, where Parag will take charge for the first time.
Riyan Parag to Lead RR for Three Matches
Sanju Samson has been recovering from a finger injury sustained a few weeks ago and has not yet regained full fitness. Although he has been cleared to bat by the BCCI's Center of Excellence, he has not yet been given the go-ahead for wicketkeeping duties. Given this situation, Rajasthan Royals have opted for a temporary captaincy change.
On Thursday, March 20, the franchise officially announced that Riyan Parag will lead the team for the first three matches of the season while Samson plays solely as a batsman. Once fully fit, Samson will return as captain.
In a team meeting, Samson personally announced Parag’s appointment as interim captain. The wicketkeeper-batsman suffered a finger injury during the fifth T20 match against England last month and has been sidelined ever since. Although he has resumed training with Rajasthan Royals after being cleared for batting by the BCCI medical team, he is still awaiting a fitness certificate for wicketkeeping.
Riyan Parag’s Captaincy Debut in IPL
This will be Riyan Parag’s first stint as an IPL captain. Under his leadership, Rajasthan Royals will face Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26, and Chennai Super Kings on March 30. While he has been appointed captain for three matches, his tenure may be extended if Samson’s full recovery takes longer than expected.
Parag, however, is not new to leadership roles, having previously captained Assam in domestic cricket. This will be his biggest challenge yet, as he looks to guide Rajasthan Royals through the early stages of the tournament.
