Ahead of their upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday (April 24), the Rajasthan Royals management has provided a massive update on captain Sanju Samson
Official statement by Rajasthan Royals ahead of RCB clash
On Monday, April 21, the day the team departed for Bengaluru, Rajasthan released a formal statement, as per the Cricbuzz report, addressing the situation, confirming Samson’s unavailability for the upcoming match against RCB. According to the statement, Samson is currently undergoing supervised recovery and will remain at the team’s home base in Jaipur under the care of the franchise’s medical team.
The Royals emphasized that Samson’s absence is precautionary, and his rehab is being monitored closely. The team refrained from giving a specific timeline for his return but indicated that he would continue to miss matches until fully fit to resume competitive cricket. This development has sparked concern over his prolonged absence as RR approaches the business end of the tournament, where consistency in leadership and squad stability are critical.
“Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson is currently undergoing recovery and will remain at the team’s home base with select RR medical staff. As part of his ongoing rehab process, he will not be travelling to Bangalore for the upcoming match against RCB. The team management is monitoring his progress closely and will take a game-by-game approach regarding his return to action,” the statement from the Rajasthan Royals management reads.
Sanju Samson’s rib injury during the IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals
The Royals captain Sanju Samson suffered a rib injury sustained during the side’s encounter against Delhi Capitals on April 16. The incident occurred when Samson was struck on the ribs while batting, forcing him to retire hurt after facing only 19 balls. The discomfort reportedly escalated into abdominal pain, leading to medical intervention and Samson’s immediate rest. He did not return for the remainder of the Delhi match and was absent during the Super Over an omission that many believe tilted the outcome in DC’s favour. Despite initial hopes of a quick recovery, the Royals’ medical staff advised caution, and Samson was further ruled in their next encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi steps up with sparkling debut performance
With Samson sidelined, the Royals turned to uncapped youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who seized the opportunity with an impressive debut against Lucknow. The young right-hander looked unfazed by the occasion, smashing a quickfire 34 off 20 balls, which included an eye-catching 80-meter six off Shardul Thakur. Suryavanshi also forged a crucial 85-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, providing the Royals with early momentum. While the Royals eventually faltered in the run chase, Suryavanshi’s performance was one of the few positives to emerge from the contest. His composed strokeplay and confident body language suggest that the Royals may have unearthed a valuable batting option, especially in the wake of Samson’s injury-induced absence. With more opportunities likely coming his way, Suryavanshi could be a key name to watch as the tournament progresses.
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