Riyan Parag Set to Lead Rajasthan Royals in the First Three Matches of IPL 2025

Rajasthan Royals will have a new captain for their first three games in IPL 2025, with Riyan Parag stepping in while Sanju Samson plays purely as a batter. Samson, who is still recovering from finger surgery, has been cleared to bat but is yet to receive approval to keep wickets or field. He will return as captain once fully fit.

Parag will lead the team in their opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by home clashes against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and Chennai Super Kings on March 30. Samson’s injury dates back to a T20I against England in Mumbai, where a Jofra Archer delivery fractured his finger, leading to minor surgery. The BCCI medical team has advised him to rest his fingers a little longer before resuming wicketkeeping duties. 

Riyan Parag’s appointment as Rajasthan Royals’ stand-in captain was revealed in an informal team chat led by Sanju Samson, with the franchise later sharing the video on their social media platforms. "I'm yet to be fully fit for the next three games," Samson told his teammates. "There are many leaders in this team. Over the last few years, there have been some great people who have taken care of this environment really nicely. For the next three games, Riyan will be leading the team. I expect everyone to support him and be with him." 

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

At just 23 years old, Parag will become one of the youngest IPL captains ever, following in the footsteps of Virat Kohli. Some may have expected Yashasvi Jaiswal to get the role, given his international experience, but RR’s management believes Parag is the right choice. "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 setup 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 team said. 

For now, Samson’s return to full fitness is expected after RR’s third game, pending a final fitness test. Until then, Parag has a golden opportunity to prove himself as a leader. 

Also Read: Hardik Pandya Confirms Suryakumar Yadav as Mumbai Indians Captain for IPL 2025 Opener vs CSK