Sanju Samson Aims for Return as Captain and Wicketkeeper Following Surgery
Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has undertaken a visit to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to secure full clearance for resuming his wicket-keeping duties. The India 'keeper-batter departed from Guwahati on Monday, March 31st, to undergo assessments and seek approval from the CoE management. This development follows an initial, temporary clearance that allowed him to participate in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) as an Impact Player.
Background and Current Status
Samson underwent surgery on his right index finger, which necessitated a cautious approach to his return to full playing duties. Initially, he received only a partial clearance, requiring him to operate as an Impact Player while the healing process was monitored. This partial clearance also resulted in him relinquishing the captaincy to Riyan Parag, with Parag leading the team in Samson’s absence. During the three games played so far, Samson has recorded scores of 66 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), 13 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and 20 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), solely as a batter and without fielding responsibilities.
Assessment and Approval Process
The current visit to the BCCI CoE involves a comprehensive assessment by the Sport Science wing. The assessment aims to ascertain his fitness to resume wicket-keeping and captaincy responsibilities. Sources close to the team indicate that the thumb injury has demonstrably healed, and Samson feels physically prepared to return to his full duties. The primary objective is to obtain clearance for the remainder of the IPL season.
Timeline and Expectations
- Current Status: Samson is currently undergoing assessment at the BCCI CoE.
- Expected Outcome: Samson is seeking clearance to resume wicket-keeping and captaincy.
- Return Timeline: He is expected to be back as captain for the Royals' next match, which is approximately a week away.
Rajasthan Royals' IPL Campaign
The Rajasthan Royals have experienced a mixed start to their IPL campaign. They suffered initial defeats in their first two matches before securing a victory against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Sunday night. Their upcoming schedule includes:
- April 5: Away game against Punjab Kings
- April 9: Away game against Gujarat Titans
- April 13: Home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Dhruv Jurel has been fulfilling the wicket-keeping duties in Samson's absence, proving to be a valuable asset to the team. Samson’s anticipated return will significantly bolster the Royals' chances of success in the remainder of the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why did Sanju Samson visit the BCCI CoE? To seek full clearance to resume wicket-keeping and captaincy duties following surgery on his finger.
- What is the timeline for his return? He is expected to return as captain within a week.
- Who has been captaining the team in his absence? Riyan Parag has been captaining the team.
- Who has been keeping wickets? Dhruv Jurel has been fulfilling the wicket-keeping duties.