IPL 2025: Riyan Parag to lead Rajasthan Royals in first three games, Sanju Samson to play as batter

In a recent piece of news, the inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals have announced the young all-rounder Riyan Parag as their stand-in skipper in the first three games of the upcoming IPL 2025. In the same announcement, the franchise also confirmed that the regular skipper Sanju Samson will be playing as a batter in the first three games of the tournament’s 18th edition.

Notably, Samson sustained an injury when England's pacer Jofra Archer’s bouncer went on to hurt the India batter’s finger during the Mumbai T20I.

The franchise has confidence in Riyan Parag's leadership - Rajasthan Royals 

The RR management made this announcement in the aftermath of the conclusion and advice released by BCCI's medical team which asked Samson to not go ahead with the wicketkeeping responsibilities in the first few games. The step has to be taken to give a healing time for his injured finger.

“Rajasthan Royals have announced that Riyan Parag will lead the team for the first three matches of IPL 2025. The young all-rounder will take charge in the campaign opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 followed by the next two home games against the holders KKR on 26th and multi-time champions, CSK on 30th,” said RR in an official statement.

“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. Having been a crucial member of the Royals’ set-up 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,” the statement added further.

Here’s a look at the RR squad for IPL 2025:

Riyan Parag (C), Shubham Dubey, Shimron Hetmyer (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Nitish Rana, Kunal Singh Rathore (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Ashok Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Sandeep Sharma, Maheesh Theekshana, and Yudhvir Singh.