IPL 2025: Sanju Samson to return as RR captain from PBKS clash
Samson will lead the team against Punjab Kings on April 5
Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Sanju Samson has been given the green light by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BBCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to resume his full duties as wicketkeeper and captain. The top-order batter had previously been restricted to only batting due to a finger injury but has now received clearance from the CoE’s medical team to keep wickets and field.
Initially, the right-hander was only partially cleared for the first three matches of IPL 2025. Due to surgery on his right index finger, he was allowed to bat but not keep wickets. As a result, the Royals decided to play him as an Impact Player, while Riyan Parag took over as stand-in captain and Dhruv Jurel handled wicketkeeping duties.
The Centre of Excellence clearance now allows the ace cricketer to return to the leadership duties as well, since it was Riyan Parag who captained the first three win games, winning the last one against CSK, but losing the first couple of them.
During these matches, the Indian cricketer managed to score a half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), but his performances in the other two games were below expectations. Fans are now eagerly waiting for him to regain his full form in the upcoming matches. Meanwhile, the Royals had a mixed start to their IPL 2025 campaign, losing their first two matches before securing a crucial victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati on Sunday night.
With the right-hand batter now fully fit, his return as the regular captain and wicketkeeper is expected to provide a significant boost to the Royals. The Kerala-born cricketer will resume his leadership role when RR faces Punjab Kings on April 5 at Mullanpur. The wicketkeeper-batter presence behind the stumps will also bring balance to the team, allowing the Royals to use their Impact Player strategy more effectively.
As RR look to build momentum in the tournament, the captain’s return to full fitness comes at the perfect time. With his batting prowess, fans will be hoping he can guide the Royals to a strong comeback in the IPL 2025 season.
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