Rajasthan Royals have made a major captaincy change ahead of IPL 2025, with young batter Riyan Parag set to lead the team for the first three matches, even though regular skipper Sanju Samson will feature in the playing XI. Samson, recovering from a finger injury sustained during India’s T20I series against England in February, has not yet received clearance for wicketkeeping and fielding duties.
SANJU SAMSON ANNOUCING RIYAN PARAG AS ROYALS CAPTAIN IN FIRST 3 GAMES..!!!
– Riyan will lead vs SRH, KKR & CSK. pic.twitter.com/G6F4WYgGD3
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 20, 2025
Despite his injury, Samson will continue to play as a specialist batter for the franchise. The Royals stated that he will return to full captaincy once he is deemed fit to resume his fielding responsibilities. The decision reflects the team’s confidence in Parag’s leadership, given his experience as Assam’s domestic captain.
Rajasthan Royals will kick off their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by two home games in Guwahati against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings on March 26 and March 30, respectively. The team will return to its traditional home ground, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, for the remainder of its home matches.
The Royals, IPL’s inaugural champions in 2008, reached the playoffs last year but fell short of a final appearance after losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator.
