Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set for a leadership change in the initial matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as young all-rounder Riyan Parag is appointed as the stand-in captain.
This decision comes in light of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not clearing regular skipper Sanju Samson for wicketkeeping duties due to a recent injury.
Sanju Samson’s Injury and Availability in IPL 2025
During India’s T20I series against England in February, Sanju Samson suffered a finger injury after being struck by a Jofra Archer delivery in the fifth T20I.
Following his exit from the series, he underwent surgery and has since been recovering at the BCCI's National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
While Samson is fit enough to bat, he has not yet received clearance to resume wicket-keeping.
With the IPL 2025 season opener approaching, the Rajasthan Royals have decided to ease Samson back into action by utilizing him as a specialist batter and Impact Player for at least the first three matches.
Riyan Parag Becomes One of IPL’s Youngest Captains
At just 23 years old, Riyan Parag will join an elite list of young IPL captains, following the likes of Virat Kohli, who led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at a young age.
Parag, known for his aggressive batting and handy spin bowling, has been a key part of the Rajasthan Royals since his debut in IPL 2019.
Rajasthan Royals' First Three Matches in IPL 2025
The 2008 IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, will begin their IPL 2025 campaign with an away fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 23, 2025, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
The team will then return to their home ground for back-to-back matches:
- March 26, 2025 – Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- March 30, 2025 – Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Who Will Be Rajasthan Royals’ Wicketkeeper?
With Samson unable to keep wickets, the likely choice for Rajasthan’s wicketkeeper in the first few matches will be Dhruv Jurel, who has impressed with his performances for Team India in the longer format.
Rajasthan Royals Full Squad for IPL 2025
Batters
- Sanju Samson (C)
- Shubham Dubey
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Kunal Rathore
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dhruv Jurel
- Riyan Parag
All-Rounders
- Nitish Rana
- Yudhvir Singh
Bowlers
- Jofra Archer
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Akash Madhwal
- Kumar Kartikeya Singh
- Tushar Deshpande
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Kwena Maphaka
- Ashok Sharma
- Sandeep Sharma
Final Thoughts
Rajasthan Royals' decision to hand the captaincy to Riyan Parag for the first three matches is a bold move, showcasing their trust in young talent.
With Sanju Samson expected to gradually return to full fitness, the team will be keen to make a strong start in the IPL 2025 season.
Fans will be eager to see how Parag leads RR and whether this temporary change could shape the team’s strategy moving forward.
Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 updates as the Rajasthan Royals prepare for an exciting season!
Thanks for reading! Riyan Parag to Captain Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, Sanju Samson Set to Play as Impact Player you can check out on google.