Riyan Parag is set to captain the Rajasthan Royals for the initial three matches, reports Cricbuzz.com

In the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals have designated Riyan Parag as the interim captain for their first three matches. This temporary leadership role has been necessitated by regular captain Sanju Samson’s ongoing recovery, during which he will participate solely as a batsman. This decision was publicly announced by Samson in an informal team meeting, the video of which was shared on the Rajasthan Royals’ social media platforms.

Samson addressed the team, stating, “While I am yet to regain full fitness, I am hopeful for the upcoming matches. Our team is blessed with multiple leaders who have contributed significantly to maintaining a cohesive environment. For these initial games, Riyan Parag will assume the captaincy responsibilities, and I encourage everyone to lend him their full support.”

Sanju Samson is currently recuperating from a right index finger injury, sustained in the recent T20I series against England. Following surgery, his rehabilitation has been progressing well. Despite this, he will join the IPL captains’ meeting in Mumbai as Rajasthan Royals’ representative.

Samson’s recovery has drawn considerable attention, as he was a key Indian player under scrutiny due to his injury status leading into the IPL season. While his batting fitness has shown promising improvements, wicket-keeping remains a challenge, as per the latest updates from Cricbuzz, which reported partial clearance for batting duties but not for keeping. The Rajasthan Royals camp has confirmed that he will undergo another fitness test at the National Cricket Academy upon completing the third match.

This comprehensive update underscores the strategic adjustments made by Rajasthan Royals to accommodate the transitional captaincy while emphasizing Sanju Samson’s pathway towards full recovery.