Riyan Parag Takes Helm as Rajasthan Royals’ Captain for IPL 2025 Opener

Jaipur, India — The Rajasthan Royals have appointed Riyan Parag as the stand-in captain for the first three matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The announcement was made on Thursday, March 20, as regular captain Sanju Samson continues his recovery from surgery on his right index finger, an injury he sustained during a T20I match against England.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has advised Samson to refrain from wicket-keeping duties to facilitate healing. Although he will participate in the games as a specialist batter, he is expected to play an ‘Impact Player’ role instead of donning the gloves.

Rajasthan Royals stated, “Riyan Parag will lead the team for the first three matches of IPL 2025.” Parag, who is just 23 years old, will captain the Royals in their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by home games against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and Chennai Super Kings on March 30.

This decision to elevate Parag is a significant endorsement of his leadership skills, which he previously exhibited as captain of Assam‘s domestic team. This marks his first captaincy role in the IPL, aligning him with an elite group of the league’s youngest leaders, a record once held by Virat Kohli.

In a social media update, Samson shared his current condition during a team meeting: “I’m yet to be fully fit for the next three games. There are many leaders in this team. Riyan will be leading the team for the next three games, and I expect everyone to support him and be with him.”

Samson’s injury was caused by a bouncer from Jofra Archer during the recent T20I series against England. Following the incident, he underwent surgery and is recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Though he has made progress, reports suggest he faces discomfort while attempting to keep wickets.

The Royals management remains optimistic about Samson’s return and stated he would resume captaincy duties once cleared by medical staff. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel will take over wicket-keeping responsibilities for the first three matches, aiming to stabilize the team during this period.

Parag’s ascension to captaincy is a nod to his impressive performance last IPL season, where he scored 573 runs across 16 matches, showcasing a strike rate close to 150. His standout performance earned him a call-up to the national team, where he made his debut in July 2024, participating in nine T20I matches and one ODI.

As the IPL 2025 season approaches, the Rajasthan Royals are focused on a robust start to their campaign. They hope to secure victories in the upcoming matches against formidable foes like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings. The team’s management is keen to balance immediate performance with long-term team dynamics while fostering young talent like Parag, alongside veteran players like Samson.

Fans and analysts will closely monitor how Parag’s leadership unfolds in the first few matches and the timeline for Samson’s return to full fitness.