Riyan Parag will lead the Rajasthan Royals in their first three IPL 2025 matches. The regular captain of the team Sanju Samson, is still recovering from a finger injury and is expected to play as a batsman until getting clearance for wicketkeeping and fielding responsibilities.
Samson, who underwent finger surgery last month, rejoined the RR squad on Monday after recovering at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is expected to play as an Impact Sub in the first three games of the RR, with Dhruv Jurel as a wicketkeeper batter.
Jurel also took the wicket in place of Samson in the fifth T20I against England in February after being hit on the finger by a Jofra Archer delivery while batting. An official announcement by RRR stated that Samson will return as captain once he is fully fit.
For Parag, this is the first experience of leading a side in the IPL. With this Parag will become the fifth youngest player to do so. He has been with RR since 2019 and was retained by the franchise for INR 14 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. In the 2024 IPL, he scored 573 runs, the most by an RR batsman in that season and the third-highest overall.
Parag will take command of the first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by home games against reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and Chennai Super Kings on March 30.
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