In a surprising development, Riyan Parag has been named Rajasthan Royals captain for first three matches of IPL 2025 as Sanju Samson recovers from a finger injury. Samson, who was hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer during India’s T20I series against England, will not be keeping wickets in the initial matches.
The Rajasthan Royals captain for first three matches will be 23-year-old Riyan Parag, as the franchise looks to manage Samson’s workload. Although Sanju Samson has joined the RR squad, he is expected to play as an impact player while Riyan Parag leads the team.
This strategic move comes as Rajasthan Royals prepare for a strong IPL 2025 campaign, aiming to end their title drought since 2008.
Why is Riyan Parag Rajasthan Royals Captain for First Three Matches?
📌 Reasons behind the captaincy switch:
✔ Sanju Samson is recovering from a finger injury.
✔ Rajasthan Royals want to manage his workload early in the season.
✔ Riyan Parag has shown leadership potential in domestic cricket.
✔ Sanju Samson might be used as an impact player instead.
The decision to name Riyan Parag Rajasthan Royals captain for first three matches could be a defining moment in his career. The young all-rounder has been a part of RR since 2019 and is one of their most trusted players.
Sanju Samson Joins Rajasthan Royals Camp Despite Injury
Even though he is not captaining the team in the first three matches, Sanju Samson has already joined the Rajasthan Royals training camp. The franchise confirmed this with a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Straight from the airport to our first practice match to making everyone smile like he does!”
💪 Update: Sanju will be playing our first three games as a batter, with Riyan stepping up to lead the boys in these matches! 💗 pic.twitter.com/FyHTmBp1F5
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 20, 2025
This suggests that Samson is actively involved with the team, but the franchise is taking a cautious approach to his return as a full-time player and wicketkeeper.
Rajasthan Royals’ First Three Matches in IPL 2025
With Riyan Parag as Rajasthan Royals captain for first three matches, the franchise will face a challenging start to their IPL 2025 campaign.
📌 RR’s first three matches in IPL 2025:
✔ March 23 – Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
✔ March 26 – Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders
✔ March 30 – Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings
These three fixtures will test Parag’s leadership skills, especially against two former IPL champions (KKR and CSK).
RR Squad and Key Retentions for IPL 2025
The Rajasthan Royals captain for first three matches will have a strong squad to lead in Sanju Samson’s absence.
📌 RR’s key retentions before IPL 2025 auction:
✔ Sanju Samson (Rs. 18 crore)
✔ Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rs. 18 crore)
✔ Riyan Parag (Rs. 14 crore)
✔ Dhruv Jurel (Rs. 14 crore)
✔ Shimron Hetmyer (Rs. 11 crore)
✔ Sandeep Sharma (Rs. 4 crore)
During the IPL 2025 auction, Rajasthan Royals strengthened their squad by signing key players like:
✔ Jofra Archer – England’s pace sensation returns to RR.
✔ Wanindu Hasaranga – Sri Lanka’s star all-rounder.
✔ Maheesh Theekshana – Mystery spinner from Sri Lanka.
📌 Complete Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2025:
Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Nitish Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey, Yudhvir Singh, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kwena Maphaka, Kunal Rathore, Ashok Sharma.
Rajasthan Royals’ Title Drought: Can IPL 2025 Change Their Fortune?
The Rajasthan Royals captain for first three matches, Riyan Parag, will be leading a team hungry for success. Since winning their first and only IPL title in 2008, Rajasthan Royals have struggled to replicate that historic success.
📌 Rajasthan Royals’ IPL performance since 2008:
✔ 2008 – IPL Champions (Led by Shane Warne).
✔ 2013 – Qualified for playoffs.
✔ 2018 – Reached playoffs after returning from suspension.
✔ 2022 – Runners-up (Lost to Gujarat Titans in the final).
✔ 2024 – Finished in the top four but failed to reach the final.
With a talented squad and a fresh strategy, RR will be aiming to break their title drought in IPL 2025.
Will Sanju Samson Regain Captaincy After Three Matches?
The Rajasthan Royals captain for first three matches is only a temporary decision, and once Sanju Samson is fully fit, he is expected to take back the captaincy from Riyan Parag.
📌 What could happen after the first three matches?
✔ Sanju Samson may return as full-time captain from April 3 onward.
✔ If Riyan Parag performs well, he could become the team’s vice-captain.
✔ Samson might continue playing as an impact player if needed.
Rajasthan Royals are investing in their younger players, and this captaincy stint for Riyan Parag could be a step toward grooming him as a future leader.
Riyan Parag to Lead RR for First Three Matches in IPL 2025
The decision to name Riyan Parag as Rajasthan Royals captain for first three matches is a strategic move to ensure Sanju Samson recovers fully from his injury.
📌 Key Takeaways:
✔ Sanju Samson will miss wicketkeeping duties due to a finger injury.
✔ Riyan Parag has been appointed RR captain for the first three matches.
✔ Sanju Samson has already joined Rajasthan Royals’ training camp.
✔ RR’s first three games are against SRH, KKR, and CSK.
✔ Sanju Samson is expected to take back captaincy after three matches.
As Rajasthan Royals aim to win their second IPL title, their early-season performance under Riyan Parag’s leadership will be crucial in setting the tone for IPL 2025.
