Samson to return as RR captain after being cleared to keep wicket

Sanju Samson to Resume RR Captaincy After Getting Clearance to Keep Wicket

Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson has received the green light from the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to return to wicketkeeping duties, having recovered from a recent finger surgery. Samson, who featured solely as a specialist batter in the team's first three matches of IPL 2025, is now fit to reclaim both the captaincy and wicketkeeping gloves.

During his recovery period, Samson played as an Impact Player, while Riyan Parag led the side and Dhruv Jurel handled duties behind the stumps.

“With this positive development, Samson will return to his full leadership role and resume captaincy from the team’s next match against Punjab Kings,” RR said in a statement. “The franchise is encouraged by Samson’s progress and looks forward to having him back in action behind the stumps and leading the side.”

Under Parag's interim captaincy, RR stumbled in their opening games against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), before bouncing back with a win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati on March 30.

With Samson returning to lead against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur on April 5, RR will gain more tactical flexibility with their Impact Player strategy. In the CSK game, for instance, Samson was subbed out after scoring 20, allowing Kumar Kartikeya to be brought in — though he bowled just one over in RR’s defence of 182.

So far in IPL 2025, Samson has notched up 99 runs in three innings at a strike rate just shy of 155. RR currently sit second-last on the points table with two points.

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