Riyan Parag Named Rajasthan Royals Captain For IPL 2025 Opener

Rajasthan Royals have named Riyan Parag as the stand-in captain for the first three matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, a decision announced on Thursday, March 20. This leadership change comes as regular skipper Sanju Samson recovers from surgery on his right index finger, which was injured during a T20I match against England.

Samson has been advised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s medical team to avoid wicket-keeping duties to allow his finger sufficient time to heal. While he will participate in the matches, he will only serve as a specialist batter and could play an 'Impact Player' role.

Rajasthan Royals officially announced, "Riyan Parag will lead the team for the first three matches of IPL 2025." Parag, at just 23 years old, will step up to captain the Royals in their opening fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by home matches against the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, on March 26 and five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings, on March 30.

The choice to name Parag as captain is a significant vote of confidence from the franchise in a player who has demonstrated leadership capabilities as Assam's domestic captain. This announcement marks Parag's first foray into captaincy within the IPL, where he will join an elite group of the league’s youngest captains. The record for this distinction belongs to Virat Kohli, who led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the age of 22.

Sanju Samson clarified during an informal team meeting, which was shared via Rajasthan Royals' social media, that he is still not fully fit. "I’m yet to be fully fit for the next three games," he stated. "There are many leaders in this team. Over the last few years, there have been some great people who have taken care of this environment really nicely. For the next three games, Riyan will be leading the team. I expect everyone to support him and be with him."

Samson's injury occurred during a home T20I series against England when he was struck by a bouncer delivered by fast bowler Jofra Archer. Following the injury, he underwent surgery to repair the damage and has been recuperating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Although he has made positive strides in his recovery, reports indicate that he experienced discomfort while attempting to keep wickets.

The Royals' management has expressed optimism about Samson's return, indicating he will resume captaincy duties once cleared by medical staff. In the interim, he will contribute as a solid hitter, potentially playing an integral role in the team's performance throughout the initial matches.

Additionally, Rajasthan Royals confirmed that young wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel will step in for Samson behind the stumps for the first three matches. This decision aims to ensure the team's stability while Samson continues his recovery.

Parag's rise to captaincy is a testament to his growth within the franchise. Last season, he scored 573 runs in 16 matches, achieving a strike rate close to 150, which marked his breakout year in the tournament. Following his successful IPL 2024 season, he received a call-up to the national team, making his debut in July 2024, and participated in nine T20I matches and one ODI.

As the IPL 2025 season looms, the Rajasthan Royals are focused on a strong start to the tournament. They will kick off their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad, followed by matches against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. The team is hopeful that with Parag at the helm, they can navigate the first few matches successfully until their regular captain is fit to return.

In light of these developments, Rajasthan Royals remain committed to balancing their roster for both immediate performance and long-term team dynamics, demonstrating their faith in young talents like Riyan Parag, while also ensuring experienced players like Sanju Samson contribute to the team’s success.

As IPL 2025 progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Parag's appointment as captain pans out and whether Samson can make a swift and complete return from injury.