Last Updated:
Riyan Parag will take charge in the opening fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by home encounters against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and Chennai Super Kings on March 30.
Sanju Samson will play as a pure batter in the first three games (Picture credit: AFP)
Star India batter Riyan Parag was on Thursday named the Rajasthan Royals captain for the first three IPL 2025 matches, which they will play against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and the Chennai Super Kings.
Regular skipper Sanju Samson, a crucial part of the Royals’ setup and the regular skipper, will remain a key contributor with the bat till he gets cleared for wicketkeeping and fielding. He would return as skipper once fit.
Samson had suffered an injury during the T20I series against England earlier this year and the statement from Royals indicates clearly that he isn’t 100% fit at the moment.
💪 Update: Sanju will be playing our first three games as a batter, with Riyan stepping up to lead the boys in these matches! 💗 pic.twitter.com/FyHTmBp1F5— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 20, 2025
Rajasthan’s decision to hand Riyan the leadership underscores the team’s confidence in his captaincy, a skill he has shown through his tenure as Assam’s domestic skipper.
With an experienced core, young talents and a well-structured captaincy transition, Rajasthan remain committed to a strong beginning in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, a statement said.
Samson suffered a fracture on his finger from a Jofra Archer ball during the T20I against England in Mumbai, after which he had to undergo a minor surgery.
While he has been cleared to bat, a report in PTI says that medical and sports science teams at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence want him to give his finger some more rest before he begins keeping wickets.
Hence the 23-year-old Riyan would have the distinction of being one of the youngest skippers in IPL after Virat Kohli.
“I am not completely fit for the next three games. There are a lot of leaders in this group. In the last few years, some great people have taken care of this environment nicely. For the next three games, Riyan will lead the team,” Samson said during a team meeting.
“He is capable of doing it. I expect everyone to support him and be with him,” Samson added.
