Rising star Riyan Parag will lead Rajasthan Royals in the first three IPL games, as regular captain Sanju Samson will be playing as a specialist batter cum Impact Substitute as he is yet to get clearance to keep wickets post finger surgery.
Samson suffered fracture on his finger by a Jofra Archer delivery during the T20I against England in Mumbai, following which he had to undergo a minor surgery.
While he has been cleared to bat, it is understood that medical and sports science teams at the BCCI Centre of Excellence want him to give his fingers some more rest before he starts keeping wickets.
Hence the 23-year-old Parag will have the distinction of being one of the youngest captains in IPL after Virat Kohli.
“Rajasthan Royals have announced that Riyan Parag will lead the team for the first three matches of IPL 2025,” RR said in a statement.