Sanju Samson Ruled Out Of IPL 2025 Indefinitely
Rajasthan Royals' (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid provided an update on the injury of captain Sanju Samson ahead of the IPL 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The former Indian skipper stated that Samson was not cleared to travel for the upcoming match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Rajasthan Royals will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 42nd match of IPL 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, April 24.
Sanju Samson is still recovering from an abdominal injury he sustained during the match against Delhi Capitals (DC). Riyan Parag will continue to captain RR in his absence.
Our Medical Team Didn't Clear Sanju Samson to Play - Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid said that the medical team did not clear Sanju Samson for travel and advised against risking further strain. The team kept the physio with Samson to aid his recovery, and his progress is being monitored daily. "Sanju, I think, picked up a bit of a side issue in the game against Delhi (Capitals) and he couldn't play the last match or this one either. He wasn't fit, and our medical team didn't clear him to play," Dravid told the press in Bengaluru on Wednesday. "So, we took the medical advice not to risk him with further travel-two more flights would've been a strain. We kept the physio back with him so we could treat him and try to get him back as quickly as possible. We're monitoring his recovery on a day-to-day basis," he added.
Don't Have a Specific Timeline for His Return - Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid said that there is no set timeline for Sanju Samson's return, and the team is doing everything possible to aid his recovery. Dravid stated that the team has a tight schedule. "I don't have a specific timeline for his return, but we're doing everything we can. We've got matches coming up quickly, and then a gap after the 4th. So, we'll just have to wait and see. As of now, he wasn't fit for this match, and that's why he didn't travel to Bengaluru," Dravid added.
Sanju Samson Faces Challenging Season with Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson has had a challenging season with the Rajasthan Royals as he has been battling injuries. He only played as a specialist batter in the first three matches and has missed two. Samson has scored 224 runs with an average above 30 and a strike rate of over 140. His absence has been a blow for a team still searching for the right combination. Rajasthan Royals are currently struggling in IPL 2025. They are in 8th place after losing four consecutive matches. With just two wins from eight games, their chances of making the playoffs are slim. They will need to win all of their remaining matches to stay in contention. After the match against RCB, they will return to Jaipur for home games against Gujarat Titans (28 April) and Mumbai Indians (1 May). They'll travel to Kolkata before a nine-day break.
Riyan Parag Gives Fresh Details on Sanju Samson's Injury
Samson, who retired hurt after experiencing pain while batting against the Delhi Capitals, is currently in Jaipur, working on his rehab with RR's medical team. Rajasthan Royals stand-in captain Riyan Parag confirmed that regular skipper Sanju Samson has suffered a side strain, making it difficult for the RR team management to put a return date for his availability in IPL 2025. Samson, who retired hurt after experiencing pain while batting against the Delhi Capitals, is currently in Jaipur, working on his rehab with the RR medical team.
Against DC, Samson was seen in visible pain when he attempted a cut shot off the bowling of Vipraj Nigam. The physio then checked the left side around his rib. Samson retired soon after and did not come out to bat again. "Sanju bhaiya is recovering, we're taking it game by game. He has a side strain. We hope he will be back soon," Parag said after winning the toss and opting to bowl against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
On the eve of the match, RR head coach Rahul Dravid had said something similar about Samson's fitness. Dravid said regular RR skipper Sanju Samson’s fitness is getting assessed on a daily basis. "Sanju, I think, sort of picked up a bit of a side issue with the game against Delhi (Capitals) and he couldn't play the last game and in this game as well. He wasn't fit and our medical team sort of didn't rule him fit to play this game. So, we took the decision and the medical advice to not risk him to travel — make two more flights and be here. We kept the physio back so that we can treat him and try and get him back as quickly as we possibly can. We’re looking at it on a day-to-day basis."
Dravid admitted that it was too early to predict when Samson might return to action for the Royals. Rajasthan face RCB in Bengaluru on Thursday before returning to Jaipur for home fixtures against Gujarat Titans (28 April) and Mumbai Indians (1 May). They will then travel to Kolkata for a match on 4 May, followed by a nine-day break. "I don't have a specific timeline for his return, but we're doing everything we can. We've got matches coming up quickly, and then a gap after the 4th. So, we'll just have to wait and see. As of now, he wasn't fit for this match, and that's why he didn't travel to Bengaluru," Dravid added.
Despite playing only seven matches, Samson has scored 224 runs at an average above 30 and a strike rate exceeding 140. In his absence, Riyan Parag will continue to lead the Rajasthan Royals. Currently languishing in 8th place with six defeats from eight matches, Rajasthan can ill afford any further slip-ups. They may need to win all of their remaining fixtures to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Rajasthan Royals' head coach Rahul Dravid explained the reason behind not travelling with Sanju Samson to Bengaluru and provided an update on the recovery timeline of their injured captain. Sanju Samson was absent during their recent defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants, having sustained an abdominal injury earlier this month during their game against the Delhi Capitals. He has not travelled to Bengaluru for their upcoming clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, 24 April.
It's been a challenging season for Samson. The Royals captain featured only as a specialist batter in the first three matches due to injury and has since missed two more mid-season games. For a team still seeking the right combination, Samson's absence has been a significant setback. "Sanju, I think, picked up a bit of a side issue in the game against Delhi (Capitals), and he couldn't play the last match or this one either. He wasn't fit, and our medical team didn't clear him to play," Dravid told the press in Bengaluru on Wednesday. "So, we took the medical advice not to risk him with further travel-two more flights would've been a strain. We kept the physio back with him so we could treat him and try to get him back as quickly as possible. We're monitoring his recovery on a day-to-day basis."
Rajasthan Royals are currently struggling in the IPL 2025, having lost their last four matches and their captain, Sanju Samson, to injury. The team is under pressure to find a way to win as they look to secure a spot in the playoffs. With Riyan Parag at the helm, the Royals hope to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming matches.
