Rajasthan Royals (RR) have announced that Riyan Parag will be the replacement for Sanju Samson as captain for the first three matches of IPL 2025. Samson, the RR skipper, is still recovering from a finger injury sustained during India’s T20I series against England.
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What Happened to Sanju Samson?

Samson’s injury, caused by a Jofra Archer bouncer, required surgery and extensive rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Despite his efforts to recover, Samson has not been cleared for wicketkeeping duties and will only play as a batter for the initial phase of the tournament.

In light of Samson’s absence, Riyan Parag will take on the leadership role as the 2025 RR captain for RR’s first three fixtures. RR’s season begins on March 23 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The team will then return home to Guwahati for matches against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 26 and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 30.
Why Riyan Parag Named as Replacement for Sanju Samson?

The decision to appoint Riyan Parag as the replacement for Sanju Samson highlights RR’s confidence in the young all-rounder’s leadership abilities. Parag has been a vital part of RR’s setup over the years and demonstrated strong leadership as Assam’s domestic captain. His familiarity with the team’s dynamics and his performance make him a suitable choice for this role.
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Parag’s appointment as the 2025 RR captain comes after an impressive IPL 2024 season, where he scored 573 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate near 150. His consistent performances earned him a call-up to the Indian national team, where he played nine T20Is and an ODI after his IPL exploits. Despite a shoulder injury that sidelined him from India’s T20I series against South Africa and England, Parag has recovered and is eager to lead RR in the tournament’s opening phase.

RR head coach Rahul Dravid expressed confidence in Parag’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of a strong start to the season. With matches against Hyderabad, KKR, and CSK, the 2025 RR captain faces a challenging opening stretch. Parag will need to manage RR’s experienced core while integrating dynamic young talents to maintain the franchise’s competitive edge.
Waiting for Samson’s Back as 2025 RR Captain

RR management reassures fans that Samson remains a crucial part of the squad and will return as captain once fully fit. Samson’s leadership and batting prowess will be critical as the tournament progresses, but in the meantime, Riyan Parag must rise to the challenge as the replacement for Sanju Samson.
Conclusion

As the IPL 2025 season kicks off, all eyes will be on Riyan Parag to prove his leadership credentials and set the tone for RR’s campaign. His performance as the 2025 RR captain will not only shape RR’s early results but could also influence Samson’s role upon his return.













