In the ongoing IPL 2025 season, Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson is sidelined due to a right index finger injury, which he sustained during a T20I match against England last month. As a result, Riyan Parag has stepped in as the stand-in captain for the initial three matches of the season. This leadership change comes at a critical time for the Royals, who are looking to bounce back after a disappointing start to the tournament.
Samson, who has been at the helm of RR since 2021, led the team to the finals in the 2022 season. However, he acknowledged in a recent interview that he has been contemplating his future as captain since then. "In my second year as captain of Rajasthan Royals, I was thinking, I am not going to remain Rajasthan Royals captain forever. There has to be someone who is going to come and someone will have to groom," he stated. This foresight indicates his awareness of the need for succession planning within the team.
As the Royals faced off against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the absence of Samson was palpable. The match, held in Guwahati, saw RR struggle significantly, culminating in their lowest total of the season at 151/9. Dhruv Jurel was the standout performer for RR, scoring 33 runs off 28 balls. Despite some promising starts from Yashasvi Jaiswal (29 runs) and Parag himself (23 runs), the team failed to capitalize, leaving them in a precarious position.
KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, made the most of the conditions, with bowlers like Moeen Ali (2/23), Varun Chakravarthy (2/17), and Vaibhav Arora (2/33) making significant contributions. The Royals' innings was marked by inconsistency, as key players like Samson (13 runs) were unable to make impactful scores before being dismissed.
Looking ahead, the Royals are keen to improve their performance. Parag’s leadership will be crucial as the team navigates these early matches. While he has faced challenges, including the pressure of captaincy during a tough start, he remains optimistic about the potential of the younger players in the squad. “We have a lot more younger lot in this cycle. They are hungry to prove their worth and have experience of playing T20 cricket before,” he noted.
Samson is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is expected to return to captaincy by April 5, when the Royals face the Punjab Kings. His return is eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike, as his leadership and experience are invaluable to the team’s aspirations this season.
As the IPL progresses, the dynamics of the Rajasthan Royals will be closely watched, particularly how they adapt to Samson’s eventual return and whether they can recover from their early setbacks. The Royals will need to harness their youthful energy and experience to turn their fortunes around in the coming matches.
With the IPL season still in its early stages, the Rajasthan Royals have time to regroup and refocus. The leadership of Riyan Parag, while temporary, will be tested as he aims to steer the team through these initial challenges. The spotlight remains on how the team will respond, especially with Samson's anticipated return on the horizon.
