The Rajasthan Royals (RR) camp is grappling with uncertainty over the fitness of their captain Sanju Samson ahead of their crucial Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Saturday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.Â
Samson is doubtful for the match due to a suspected side strain, leaving the team anxiously awaiting scan results to determine his availability.
The injury scare emerged during RR’s thrilling super over loss to the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Samson, who was in fine form, scoring a brisk 31 runs off 19 balls with two fours and three sixes, retired hurt after showing visible discomfort following a cut shot against leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam.Â
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The team physio checked him, focusing on the left side of his ribcage, and despite briefly resuming his batting, Samson left the field after facing one more delivery.
RR head coach Rahul Dravid addressed the media on Friday, providing an important update on Samson.
"Sanju experienced a bit of pain in the abdominal area. So we have gone for scans. He has done some scans today so we are waiting the results of those scans. And then once we get a bit more clarity around the scans and the severity of (the injury) we'll take a decision going forward and we'll see what happens," Dravid said as quoted.
The 30-year-old has been the second-highest run-scorer for RR this season, amassing 224 runs in seven matches at an average of 37.33 and a strike rate of 143.59. His standout performance came in RR’s season-opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he smashed 66 runs off 37 balls in a high-scoring chase.Â
Riyan Parag to Captain RR If Sanju Samson Misses Out
Should Samson be ruled out, RR could turn to young batter Riyan Parag to take up the captaincy, as he did earlier in the season when Samson was recovering from a thumb injury. Parag led RR in their first three matches, with Dhruv Jurel taking over the wicket-keeping duties.Â
Under Parag’s captaincy, Rajasthan lost their opening two matches and won one against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).Â
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The timing of the injury could not be worse for RR, who face a formidable LSG side led by Rishabh Pant. The Royals, already reeling from a nine-wicket thrashing by RCB, are currently at the eighth position on the IPL 2025 points table, winning just two of their seven matches so far.
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