Follow UsThe Rajasthan Royals (RR) were forced to make one of the biggest changes to their lineup for the first three games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, as their regular skipper Sanju Samson has not been able to gain 100 per cent fitness, so far.
As a result, Samson, on March 20 (Thursday), announced Riyan Parag as the leader of the unit for the first three matches.
In a video uploaded by the Royals on their social media account, Samson, sitting on a table, is seen interacting with the team when he made the announcement to play as a specialist batter and gave Parag the chance to lead the team.
Royals' first three matches are against Sunrisers Hyderabad (away), Kolkata Knight Riders (home at Guwahati, Assam) and Chennai Super Kings (home at Guwahati, Assam) respectively. Since Parag is from Assam and has a lot of experience of playing in Guwahati, it makes more sense as to why he was the first choice replacement of Samson.
Parag, who has been with the Royals ever since his first IPL stint back in 2019, has the experience of leading Assam. He has captained his domestic team in 17 T20s and even led them to the semi-final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the 2023-24 season.
The right-handed batter, who is more than capable enough spinner as well, has played 70 matches for the Royals, scoring 1,173 runs and taking four wickets. IPL 2024 was the best season for Parag, as he smashed 573 runs at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 149. Thanks to that, the 23-year-old was able to break into the national team and make his T20I and ODI debuts for India.
Parag, as captain, averages 67 with the bat and has a strike rate of 167 with nine fifties to his name in 17 matches. Out of those 17 games, his team were able to win 10.