IPL 2025: Why is Sanju Samson not playing in RR vs LSG Match 36?

Sanju Samson isn't available for Rajasthan Royals' (RR) important clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, April 19. Riyan Parag is stepping up as the stand-in skipper for the second time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Rajasthan need to bounce back strongly after a gut-wrenching defeat in the Super Over in their last game against Delhi Capitals. The inaugural champions have only managed two wins from seven games and are in desperate need of wins to rekindle hopes of reaching the playoffs. Meanwhile, LSG will look to get back on track after losing their last game against Chennai Super Kings at home. The Rishabh Pant-led side has four wins from seven games.

Toss Update

Pant won the toss and opted to bat first, noting that the surface was on the drier side. He said that the team is looking to take the positives and improve on the small areas where they have been lacking. Meanwhile, Parag said he would have bowled first anyway. He mentioned the inclusion of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi into the lineup in place of Samson.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest player to play in IPL

Suryavanshi will make his debut on Saturday. At 14 years and 23 days old, he becomes the youngest to play in the IPL. He replaces Samson, who suffered a side strain in the last game against Delhi Capitals. Meanwhile, Prince Yadav comes into the line-up in place of Akash Deep for LSG.

RR vs LSG, Match 36 - What did the captains say?

Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

We're going to bat first, wicket is looking dry so we want to take advantage. No dew so why not bat first. General thought process was to take the positives. We are lacking in small areas, want to improve on those and take the game forward. Was good to get back into form and contribute. I was not worried about, knew it was round the corner. Sometimes it takes time and I got time in the last game. Prince comes in for Akash Deep.

Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals)

We were looking to bowl, it is a little bit warm under lights, should be better than the last time. Vaibhav the youngster comes in. It's been kinda tricky, we've been doing small bits right but we haven't been able to put a collective performance together, we've been having honest chats as a team. We love playing here, we know the conditions well, hope we can put that to good use.

RR vs LSG, Match 36 - Playing XIs

Rajasthan Royals:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Riyan Parag (C), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande

Impact Substitutes: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Kunal Singh Rathore

Lucknow Super Giants

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (WK/C), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan

Impact Substitutes: Ayush Badoni, Mayank Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh