In a significant development ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Sanju Samson, the Kerala keeper-batter, has announced that he will not be captaining the Rajasthan Royals in their opening game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23. Despite being included in the playing XI, Samson will take on the role of an impact player as he continues to recover from a finger injury that required surgery last month.
During a team meeting last week, Samson expressed his gratitude toward the leadership in the squad while acknowledging his current physical limitations. “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 really nicely,” he stated, emphasizing his belief in Riyan Parag’s capabilities as the temporary captain. Riyan, a 23-year-old all-rounder from Assam who recently captained his state team in the Ranji Trophy, will lead the Royals for the first three matches while Samson focuses on his recovery.
Samson, who has been leading the Rajasthan Royals since 2021, has a commendable track record, having taken the team to the playoffs two times and reaching the IPL final in 2022. His absence from a captaincy role in the early part of this season is a notable shift for the franchise, especially given his impact on the team's performance.
While Sanju was able to join the team again after his surgery, he has not received clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team for wicketkeeping duties. He will participate purely as a batter in the early matches. “Riyan will be leading the team. He is capable of doing it. I expect everyone to support him and be with him,” he added.
This season marks Samson’s first experience playing as an impact player under the newly implemented rule in the IPL. The impact player rule allows teams to replace players strategically during matches, a concept that has generated considerable discussion among fans and analysts. Samson's current performance trend also points towards his impressive run last season, where he amassed 531 runs in 16 matches.
Alongside him, Jofra Archer makes his much-anticipated return to the Rajasthan Royals after four years. Archer, who rejoined the franchise for a hefty sum of 12.50 crore rupees during the 2025 mega auction, previously picked up 46 wickets in just 35 matches for the Royals before being released ahead of the 2022 auction.
The Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, aiming to start the season on a positive note. This match is particularly intense, as the last encounter between these two teams saw Sunrisers Hyderabad secure a considerable victory over the Royals in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024, winning by 36 runs.
As both teams set the stage for an exciting clash, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how well Samson and Archer will perform in their respective roles. While Samson will be groomed for a return to the captaincy, his focus in the upcoming matches will likely be on delivering impactful performances as a batter. With Parag at the helm, the Royals hope to channel their potential effectively against a tough Sunrisers side.
The combination of emerging talent in Parag and experienced players like Archer presents an intriguing dynamic for the Rajasthan Royals in this IPL season, not just against the Sunrisers, but throughout their campaign. Both fans and analysts will be keeping a keen eye on how the team adjusts in the opening matches of the season, with the aspirations of lifting the coveted IPL trophy in their sights once again.
