IPL 2025: Riyan Parag to lead Rajasthan Royals in first three games

The young all-rounder Parag will take charge in the opening fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by home encounters against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and five-time champions Chennai Super Kings on March 30

Hyderabad: Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson will miss the first three games of the IPL because he is recuperating from a finger injury and Riyan Parag has been named as the stand-by captain, according to a media release on Thursday.

However, Samson is set to play as a batter till he is declared fit for wicketkeeping and fielding duties.
Samson, who sustained a finger injury last month, joined the RR squad on Monday following his rehab at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is likely to play as an Impact Sub in the IPL, with Dhruv Jurel an option to keep wicket. Jurel had also kept wicket in place of Samson in the fifth T20I against England in February after he was hit on the finger by a Jofra Archer delivery while batting. Samson will return as captain once fully fit, an RR release said.

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“I’m not completely fit for three or more games,” Samson said in a video posted by the official RR handle on Instagram. “I think there are a lot of leaders from this group. From the last few years, there have been great people who have taken care of this environment really nicely. But for the three games, Riyan will be leading. He is well capable to do it and I expect everyone to be with him and support him.”