Rajasthan Royals Name Riyan Parag as Interim Captain
Jaipur, India – The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have announced that young batsman Riyan Parag will captain the team for their first three matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This decision comes as regular captain Sanju Samson continues his recovery from a finger injury sustained last month, requiring surgery and ongoing rehabilitation. Samson has rejoined the RR squad but will initially participate as a batter, with a gradual return to wicketkeeping and fielding duties pending medical clearance.
Sanju Samson's Recovery and Role
Samson underwent surgery last month and has been undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. While he has rejoined the team, his participation will be limited to batting until he is fully fit to resume his wicketkeeping and fielding responsibilities. It is anticipated that Samson will be utilized as an Impact Sub player during the initial phase of the tournament. Dhruv Jurel, who previously stood in for Samson behind the stumps in the fifth T20I against England, is a likely candidate to fulfill the wicketkeeping role in Samson’s absence. Samson is expected to reclaim the captaincy once his fitness allows.
“I’m not completely fit for three or more games,” Samson stated in a video released by the team. “I think there are a lot of leaders from this group. From the last few years, there have been great people who have taken care of this environment really nicely. But 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.”
Riyan Parag Assumes Captaincy Duties
Riyan Parag's appointment marks a significant moment in his career, as it will be his first time captaining in the IPL. At just 22 years old, he will become the fifth-youngest captain in IPL history. Parag has been a consistent member of the RR squad since 2019 and was retained by the franchise for a substantial INR 14 crore ahead of the recent mega auction. His impressive performance in the 2024 IPL season, where he amassed 573 runs – the highest for an RR batter and the third-highest overall – and struck four half-centuries, ultimately led to his debut for India in both T20I and ODI formats.
“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,” a statement from the franchise read. “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.”
Parag will lead the team in the opening fixture against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23rd, followed by home games against the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, on March 26th, and the Chennai Super Kings on March 30th. Notably, Parag has a commendable record as captain of Assam in domestic T20 cricket, winning 10 out of 17 matches between 2021 and 2023, with an impressive average of 67.09 and a strike rate of 167.72.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What happened to Sanju Samson? Sanju Samson underwent finger surgery and is currently recovering. He will initially play as a batter before returning to his full wicketkeeping and fielding duties.
- When will Sanju Samson return as captain? Samson is expected to return as captain once he is fully fit and receives medical clearance.
- How has Riyan Parag performed recently? Parag had a stellar 2024 IPL season, scoring 573 runs and earning international debuts.
- What is Riyan Parag’s experience as a captain? Parag has captained the Assam domestic team, demonstrating leadership qualities.
- Will Samson be available as an Impact Player? Yes, it is anticipated that Samson will be utilized as an Impact Sub player during his recovery period.