As the excitement builds for the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) have made a significant announcement by appointing young star Riyan Parag as their captain for the first three matches of the upcoming season. This thrilling tournament will commence on March 22, 2025, culminating in a series of nail-biting clashes and unprecedented moments.
Riyan Parag, now set to be the youngest captain to lead an IPL franchise, will take charge in the Royals' opening match against last season's finalists, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), on March 23. Following this encounter, Parag will captain two home matches against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and the Chennai Super Kings on March 30. Fans will be eager to see how Parag handles the pressure and responsibilities of captaincy at such a young age.
The decision to make Parag captain demonstrates the franchise’s confidence in his leadership abilities. According to a press release from Rajasthan Royals, "Rajasthan Royals’ decision to hand Riyan the captaincy underscores the franchise’s confidence in his leadership, a skill he has demonstrated through his tenure as Assam’s domestic captain. Having been a crucial member of the Royals setup over the years, his understanding of the team’s dynamic makes him well-equipped to step into this role for the initial phase of the tournament."
The need for an interim captain arose after the regular captain, Sanju Samson, suffered a finger injury during a T20I clash against England, which required surgery prior to the Champions Trophy. While Samson has confirmed he will participate as a batsman, he stated, "I'm not completely fit for three or more games," reinforcing the importance of Parag’s leadership for the upcoming matches. In a message posted on the official RR Instagram handle, he expressed faith in his teammate, saying, "I think there are a lot of leaders from this group... 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."
The IPL 2025 will encompass a total of 74 matches played out over eight weeks, with each team facing off against one another twice in the league stage, ultimately leading to an action-packed playoff phase featuring two Qualifiers and one Eliminator. This structure promises plenty of thrilling moments for fans.
In addition to the Rajasthan Royals, other participating teams are preparing for the season with their own captains and squad setups. Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions, will begin their title defense on March 22 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata. IPL 2025 is set to provide fans with memorable experiences as teams compete fiercely.
Fans in the United States will have the opportunity to enjoy the thrilling action of IPL 2025 via FuboTV, the exclusive broadcaster of the tournament in the US. With comprehensive coverage of all matches, viewers can catch every boundary, wicket, and gripping moment in real-time. FuboTV offers high-definition live streaming along with exclusive pre-match and post-match analysis. Subscribers will have the flexibility to watch matches across multiple devices, ensuring they remain engaged with the excitement of IPL 2025.
Rajasthan Royals' match schedule is as follows:
- March 23: RR vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad at 3:30 PM
- March 26: RR vs. Kolkata Knight Riders at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati at 7:30 PM
- March 30: RR vs. Chennai Super Kings at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati at 7:30 PM
- April 5: RR vs. Punjab Kings at PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Chandigarh at 7:30 PM
- April 9: RR vs. Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad at 7:30 PM
- April 13: RR vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur at 3:30 PM
- April 16: RR vs. Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi at 7:30 PM
- April 19: RR vs. Lucknow Super Giants at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur at 7:30 PM
- April 24: RR vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru at 7:30 PM
- April 28: RR vs. Gujarat Titans at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur at 7:30 PM
- May 1: RR vs. Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur at 7:30 PM
- May 4: RR vs. Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata at 3:30 PM
- May 12: RR vs. Chennai Super Kings at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai at 7:30 PM
- May 16: RR vs. Punjab Kings at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur at 7:30 PM
Anticipation is high for the performance of each team throughout the IPL 2025 season, as cricket fans eagerly await the showdown between these talented players. With emerging stars like Riyan Parag taking on pivotal roles, this season promises to be one for the books.
