Parag To Lead, No Place For Injured Samson? RR's Strongest XI For First 3 IPL 2025 Matches

Riyan Parag will lead RR in first 3 matches [Source: IPLT20.com]

In a significant development, Rajasthan Royals confirmed that Riyan Parag would lead them in first three matches of the IPL 2025. RR's regular captain Sanju Samson has yet to recover from finger surgery, which is why he could play as a batter, at least in the first three games. 

As fans are curious about Samson's participation in the tournament, here's an attempt to find RR's strongest combination for the first three matches. 

No Place For Sanju Samson In Playing XI If RR Bowl First

If Rajasthan Royals bowl first, Sanju Samson won't likely find a place in the playing XI, as he might play the first three games as a batter. So, RR will field eleven other players and replace one of the bowlers with Samson in the second innings. 

So, if RR bowl first, Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer will form the batting core, due to their stature and performance over the years. 

(RR batters at their preferred positions in IPL)

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Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma and Maheesh Theekshana are likely to comprise RR's bowling unit.

(Stats of RR bowlers in IPL)

There could be a toss-up between Akash Madhwal and Tushar Deshpande for the third seamer's role. However, as RR already have Archer and Sandeep, the inclusion of death-overs specialist Madhwal over Deshpande would make more sense. 

When they come to chase, RR can replace one of the bowlers (preferably Sandeep) with Samson, the impact substitute. 

RR's strongest XI if they bowl first

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Dubey, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Akash Madhwal

Impact player: Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson In RR's Playing XI If They Bat First

On the other hand, if Rajasthan Royals bat first, Sanju Samson will be in their playing XI, with one of the bowlers replacing the Kerala batter in the second innings. 

This would mean the exclusion of either Akash Madhwal or Sandeep Sharma from the playing XI. One of these two bowlers will replace Samson as the impact substitute in the second innings. 

RR's strongest XI if they bat first

Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Madhwal

Impact player: Sandeep Sharma

What If Sanju Samson Doesn't Get Fit To Bat?

In the worst possible scenario, if Sanju Samson doesn't get fitness clearance to play even as a batter, teen-age sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi could make his debut for Rajasthan Royals. He has played one T20, scoring 13 runs at a blistering strike rate of 216.66. 

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