IPL 2025: Sanju Samson joins Rajasthan Royals camp after finger surgery

Sanju Samson, an Indian wicketkeeper-batter and captain of the Rajasthan Royals, has returned to the team’s camp ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League following surgery on his finger. After suffering the injury during the February T20I series against England, Samson had been recovering at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Even though his return is good for the squad, it’s still unclear if he will start at wicketkeeping.

After getting struck by a Jofra Archer delivery during the fifth Twenty20 International match against England, the Kerala batsman sustained a finger injury.

 Sanju Samson was recovering from surgery at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

More testing is anticipated from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before they give the go-ahead for him to put on the gloves.

His availability to play for the Royals as a wicketkeeper in the first few games of the 2025 Indian Premier League has not yet been guaranteed; Dhruv Jurel may be considered by the squad as a backup behind the stumps. With 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46 in 15 innings, the Kerala batsman was among the team’s top performers in the 2024 Indian Premier League. For five half-centuries, he banged.

Grateful for you skipper pic.twitter.com/hsdGYek6pp

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 17, 2025

All-rounder Riyan Parag, meanwhile, has fully healed from a shoulder injury and will be included in the team’s starting lineup. In 2024, Parag had a spectacular IPL season, scoring the most runs for the team and finishing third overall. He struck at 149.21 and amassed 573 runs at an average of 52.09. He excelled for the Rajasthan team after being promoted to the number three batting spot.

On Sunday, March 23, the inaugural winners will play Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Uppal Stadium to start their IPL 2025 campaign. After this, they will play the Chennai Super Kings on March 30 and the reigning champion Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 at home in Guwahati.