Is Riyan Parag the New Captain of Rajasthan Royals After Sanju Samson’s Injury?

The IPL 2025 season has been going as a strange one for the Rajasthan Royals who have been struggling with the form and even during the match against the Delhi Capitals, the team lost the game in the super over and suffered yet another defeat which has resulted them to be at the 8th position in the points table in the 7 games played so far with just 2 wins to their name. However, the talking point for the fans has been how Sanju Samson, the RR captain, had to walk off the field midway during the game against Delhi Capitals on April 16 due to health concerns.

During the final over of the powerplay, Samson looked visibly uncomfortable and required assistance from the physiotherapist. He was seen clutching his left rib area in pain, and after one more delivery, he exited the match, leaving fans concerned about his fitness and future in the tournament. Samson had made a good start to the innings, scoring 31 runs off just 19 balls, including two fours and three sixes, before the discomfort forced him out. Riyan Parag was brought in as a substitute batter following his exit.

This sudden departure, combined with the team’s lackluster form, has sparked debate among fans and cricket analysts on whether the Royals should consider a captaincy change, at least temporarily, and if Samson’s fitness remains an issue. Sanju’s 2025 campaign has been hampered by multiple injuries. Earlier in the year, during a T20I series against England at the Wankhede Stadium, Samson injured his right index finger while facing a delivery from Jofra Archer.

That injury required surgery and also forced him to miss the entire Ranji Trophy season for Kerala. Due to his slow recovery, he only played as a specialist batter in the initial matches of IPL 2025, with Riyan Parag leading the side in his absence. So far in IPL 2025, Samson has featured in seven matches and scored 224 runs at an average of 37.33 and a strike rate of 143.58, with a highest score of 66 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Now, with the Rajasthan Royals slipping in the standings and their captain facing recurring injury setbacks, fans are wondering whether Riyan Parag will take over the captaincy for the rest of the season or if Samson will return to lead the side again. The coming matches will be crucial not just for the team’s playoff hopes but also in determining the leadership path ahead for the team.

Nitish Rana Backs Riyan Parag to Take Over Rajasthan Royals Captaincy

After being the captain of the team in the first three games of the Rajasthan Royals IPL season, Riyan Parag has been the focal point of attention as the team navigates early challenges in IPL 2025. The decision to appoint Parag as the stand-in captain, while Sanju Samson deals with fitness issues, took many by surprise, especially considering the presence of seasoned players like Nitish Rana in the squad.

Rana, who was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for this season and had captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2023, was seen by fans as a strong candidate for the leadership role. However, he has publicly supported Parag’s appointment, showing his commitment to the team’s needs over personal ambition. Riyan Parag’s appointment came at a time when Sanju Samson, despite being fit to bat, could not perform his wicket-keeping duties, forcing the Royals to use him only as an Impact Player.

With Samson sidelined from the captaincy role, the young all-rounder Parag stepped up and led the team through the first few matches. His leadership was tested with mixed results, as Rajasthan lost their first two matches but managed to bounce back with a victory over Chennai Super Kings, where Rana’s contribution was crucial. Rana, speaking ahead of the match against Delhi Capitals, explained his understanding of the situation. Having been with KKR for several years before captaining the side in 2023, Rana acknowledged that familiarity with the team’s dynamics played a key role in his leadership. He said:

When I was made captain of KKR, I had been with the team for 6-7 years. That helped a lot because I understood the team culture and environment. Now, with RR, I think Riyan knows the team’s setup better than I. And I think it was the right decision by the management.

He believes that Parag, who has been with the Rajasthan Royals setup for a longer period, is in a better position to lead. While he admitted he would have happily accepted the captaincy if offered, Rana stressed that the decision to appoint Parag was the right one for the team.

Rana’s performance this season has been a mixed bag. He made an impressive start with an explosive 81 off 36 balls against Chennai Super Kings, but struggled in subsequent matches, posting scores of 12, 1, and 4 not out. Despite these challenges, he remains focused on the team’s goals, adapting to the situation and fulfilling whatever role is required.

His flexibility, including moving to different batting positions, has been an asset to the team. As the Rajasthan Royals sit in eighth place on the points table, the pressure is mounting to improve their position. With players like Rana offering valuable experience and support for the captain, the team will need to rely on collective effort to overcome their early setbacks.