Sports
Riyan Parag to Captain RR for Three IPL 2025 Matches: Why Is Sanju Samson Unavailable?
Rajasthan Royals are tossing the reins to 23-year-old Riyan Parag for the first three IPL 2025 matches, with regular skipper Sanju Samson sidelined from wicketkeeping duties after a finger injury. The BCCI’s yet to greenlight Samson’s full return, so Parag’s grabbing the captaincy spotlight—second-youngest in IPL history behind Virat Kohli. Here’s the shake-up, the stakes, and what’s ahead.
Samson’s Setback
Sanju Samson’s out of the keeper’s gloves—for now.
- The Hit: February 2025, fifth T20I vs. England—a Jofra Archer snorter smashed his finger. Surgery followed, and he’s been rehabbing at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
- Half-Ready: He’s cleared to bat but not to squat—Dhruv Jurel’s likely to don the gloves. Samson’ll slot in as an Impact Substitute for RR’s opening trio of games.
- X Buzz: “Sanju’s hurt, Riyan’s time—big shoes, kid,” fans are chirping online.
Parag’s Big Shot
Riyan Parag’s moment has arrived—and it’s a doozy.
- The Kid: Assam’s own, with RR since 2019, Parag’s flashed flair—think 410 runs at 171 strike rate in IPL 2024. Now, he’s captaining at 23, a whisker off Kohli’s 22-year-old 2011 record.
- Pressure Cooker: Three games to set the tone—Parag’s got to rally a stacked squad and prove he’s more than a pinch-hitter. “He’s ready,” an RR insider hinted pre-season.
- Golden Window: Leadership here could cement his rep—X’s hyped: “Riyan captain? Let’s see the fireworks” (@RRoyalFan).
RR’s Opening Slate
Parag’s baptism by fire starts Sunday:
- March 23: Away vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad—Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad. SRH’s pace attack’ll test him straight off.
- March 26: Home vs. Kolkata Knight Riders—Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati. Spin-heavy KKR’s a curveball.
- March 30: Home vs. Chennai Super Kings—Barsapara again. Dhoni’s crew won’t roll over.
RR’s 2025 Arsenal
Here’s who Parag’s steering:
- Batters: Sanju Samson, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Rathore, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag.
- All-Rounders: Nitish Rana, Yudhvir Singh.
- Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Ashok Sharma, Sandeep Sharma.
Depth’s there—firepower’s loaded with Archer’s return and Jaiswal’s form.
The Takeaway
Riyan Parag captaining RR at 23 is a bold roll of the dice—Samson’s injury’s a curve, but it’s Parag’s chance to shine. Three games, three tests: can he spark a squad dripping with talent? Fans are buzzing, Guwahati’s primed, and IPL 2025’s first week could make a star—or break a dream. Eyes on Sunday—this kid’s got the wheel.
