Follow UsDespite being in excellent positions in the last three games, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) fell short. That was the case even against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a match in which they failed to get home despite needing just 18 from the last two overs. It was their fifth consecutive loss of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and seventh overall.
RR pacer Sandeep Sharma believes the team is missing their skipper, Sanju Samson, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an abdominal injury.
"Obviously, his absence has been felt. He’s a very experienced captain and player, and as a batsman, he’s very smart. So yes, his absence has definitely been felt. He didn’t captain the first three matches, and after that, he got a side injury again. Obviously, all this is costing us. All these things have come together and are pulling the team down," Sandeep said after RR's 11-run loss against RCB.
Samson played solely as a batter in the first three matches, due to a finger injury, with Riyan Parag leading the side. Parag is now back as captain with Samson missing out and there is no clear timeline on his return.
RR sit in eighth place on the IPL 2025 points table and will look to get back to winning ways against Gujarat Titans on April 28 (Monday).