Big news from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025! Sanju Samson, the star wicketkeeper-batter and Rajasthan Royals captain, has dropped a bombshell just before the season begins today, March 22, 2025. He won’t be leading the team as RR captain for the first three matches due to a finger injury. Instead, young all-rounder Riyan Parag will step up as the Rajasthan Royals captain 2025 for these games. Fans are buzzing about this change—will Sanju Samson still shine as a batter, and can Riyan prove himself as the RR captain 2025? Let’s dive into this exciting story about Sanju Samson and the Rajasthan Royals captain switch!
Sanju Samson’s Injury Shakes Up Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson, the heart of Rajasthan Royals, has been the RR captain since 2021, leading the team with his cool head and big hits. But this year, things are different. In January 2025, during a T20I match against England, Sanju Samson injured his finger badly. A bouncer from Jofra Archer hit him, and he needed surgery. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hasn’t cleared him to keep wickets or field yet, so he can’t take up his full role as Rajasthan Royals captain right now.
On March 20, 2025, Rajasthan Royals announced that Sanju Samson will play only as a batter for the first three matches of IPL 2025. This means no wicketkeeping or leading on the field for him—at least for now. “Sanju Samson is a key part of our team. He’ll bat for us, and we’ll use him as an Impact Player till he’s fully fit,” the team said in a statement. Fans are sad to see their RR captain sidelined from leadership, but they’re excited he’s still in the game.https://newsblitz.in/chitra-tripathi-announces-divorce
Riyan Parag: The New RR Captain 2025
With Sanju Samson out of the captaincy role for now, 23-year-old Riyan Parag is stepping in as the Rajasthan Royals captain 2025 for the first three matches. This is a big moment for the young star from Assam. Riyan has been with Rajasthan Royals for years and has led Assam in domestic cricket, so he’s no stranger to captaincy. At just 23, he’s set to become one of the youngest captains in IPL history—only Virat Kohli was younger when he led RCB at 22.
Riyan Parag is already making waves. Just days ago, on March 20, 2025, he smashed an unbeaten 144 off 64 balls in a practice match for Rajasthan Royals. With 10 sixes and 16 fours, he showed he’s ready to lead from the front. “Riyan’s leadership skills and his understanding of our team make him perfect for this job,” Rajasthan Royals said. Fans are calling him the RR captain 2025 to watch out for—can he fill Sanju Samson’s big shoes?
What This Means for Sanju Samson and RR
Sanju Samson isn’t going anywhere—he’s still a big part of Rajasthan Royals. For the first three games, he’ll bat and might come in as an Impact Player, a rule that lets teams swap players during the match. This keeps Sanju Samson in the action while he recovers. The team hopes he’ll be back as Rajasthan Royals captain by April 5, 2025, when they face Punjab Kings in Mohali.
The first three matches for Rajasthan Royals are:
- March 23 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (away)
- March 26 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (home)
- March 30 vs Chennai Super Kings (home)
For these games, Dhruv Jurel will take over as wicketkeeper, while Riyan Parag leads as RR captain. Sanju Samson fans are hoping he’ll smash some big runs even without the captain’s armband. After all, he’s been a top batter for Rajasthan Royals, scoring over 400 runs in IPL 2024 and leading them to the playoffs.
Why Sanju Samson is a Big Deal
Sanju Samson isn’t just any player—he’s the soul of Rajasthan Royals. Since becoming RR captain in 2021, he’s turned the team around. Back in 2022, he took them to the IPL final, though they lost to Gujarat Titans. Last year, in 2024, they reached Qualifier 2 but fell to Sunrisers Hyderabad. His calm style and big shots have made him a fan favourite and a key reason Rajasthan Royals are seen as title contenders.
Born in Kerala, Sanju Samson started with Rajasthan Royals in 2013 and has grown into a leader. He’s also played for India, making his T20I debut in 2015 and ODI debut in 2021. At 30, he’s still got plenty of cricket left in him. Even with this injury, Sanju Samson is showing his grit by staying in the team as a batter. Fans are praying he’s back as Rajasthan Royals captain soon!
Riyan Parag: The Young RR Captain 2025 Steps Up
Riyan Parag isn’t new to Rajasthan Royals—he’s been with them since 2019. Last year, in IPL 2024, he had a breakout season, scoring 573 runs at a strike rate of 149. That made him a star to watch. Now, as RR captain 2025 for the first three games, he’s got a chance to show he’s more than just a batter—he’s a leader too.
Riyan’s practice match knock of 144 has got everyone excited. “He’s ready to take on the big boys,” one fan wrote on X. With Sanju Samson cheering from the dugout, Riyan will lead a strong Rajasthan Royals squad, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, and Jofra Archer. Can he keep the team winning as RR captain? That’s the big question!
How Fans Are Reacting
The news of Sanju Samson stepping back as Rajasthan Royals captain has fans talking. On social media, some are sad, while others are pumped for Riyan Parag. “Sanju Samson not captaining hurts, but Riyan as RR captain 2025 is a bold move—good luck!” one fan posted. Another said, “Sanju Samson will still smash it as a batter, and Riyan’s got this!”
Some fans are even joking about Sanju Samson’s injury luck. “First England, now this—give Sanju a break!” one wrote. But most agree he’s still the heart of Rajasthan Royals, captain or not. The switch to Riyan as RR captain has split opinions, but everyone’s eager to see how it plays out in IPL 2025.
Rajasthan Royals Squad for IPL 2025
Here’s the Rajasthan Royals team for IPL 2025:
- Sanju Samson (batter for first three games)
- Riyan Parag (RR captain 2025 for first three games)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Jofra Archer
- Sandeep Sharma
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Akash Madhwal
- Nitish Rana, and more
This mix of young stars and big names makes Rajasthan Royals a strong side. Even without Sanju Samson as Rajasthan Royals captain for now, they’ve got the firepower to challenge anyone.
What’s Next for Sanju Samson and RR?
Sanju Samson is at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, working hard to get fit. He’s in the final phase of recovery and should be back as RR captain soon. For now, he’ll open the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal, giving Rajasthan Royals a strong start. Coach Rahul Dravid is backing him, saying, “Sanju’s a fighter—he’ll be back stronger.”
Riyan Parag’s stint as Rajasthan Royals captain 2025 starts tomorrow, March 23, against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad. Then come two home games at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. These matches will test Riyan as RR captain and show if he’s ready for the big stage.
Why This Matters for IPL 2025
The Indian Premier League is all about surprises, and Sanju Samson handing over the Rajasthan Royals captain role to Riyan Parag is a big one. Rajasthan Royals won the first IPL in 2008 under Shane Warne and have been chasing that glory since. With Sanju Samson leading them close in recent years, this injury is a bump in the road—but not the end.
Riyan Parag as RR captain 2025 could be a game-changer. If he leads well and Sanju Samson keeps scoring, Rajasthan Royals might finally lift that second IPL trophy. The team’s mix of youth and experience, even without Sanju Samson as full Rajasthan Royals captain right now, keeps them in the race.
Where to Watch RR in IPL 2025
Want to catch Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag in action? The IPL 2025 live matches will stream free on JioCinema. On TV, Star Sports will show every today IPL match live. For scores and updates, check Cricbuzz IPL or ESPNcricinfo. Don’t miss Rajasthan Royals as they start their journey with a new RR captain!
Final Thoughts
Sanju Samson stepping aside as Rajasthan Royals captain for the first three games of IPL 2025 is a shocker, but it’s also a chance for Riyan Parag to shine as RR captain 2025. Sanju Samson will still bat and inspire, while Riyan takes the team forward. It’s a new chapter for Rajasthan Royals, and fans can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
So, cheer for Sanju Samson and the Rajasthan Royals captain 2025, Riyan Parag, as they kick off IPL 2025 tomorrow! Will Sanju Samson return as RR captain with a bang? Only time will tell—but this season’s already off to a cracking start!
