Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson’s return to the squad ahead of the IPL 2025 season has sparked optimism among the team and its supporters. Samson had sustained a serious finger injury during the fifth T20I against England in Mumbai when he was struck by a Jofra Archer delivery. The injury raised serious concerns about his availability for the IPL season, especially considering that the Royals would miss their captain’s leadership and batting prowess in crucial matches. However, after undergoing successful surgery last month, Samson is now fit and ready to make his presence felt once again in the IPL 2025 season.
In a heartwarming video shared by Rajasthan Royals on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, fans were able to see the returning captain arrive at the airport, before meeting up with his teammates for the first practice session at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. This marks a moment of relief for Rajasthan Royals fans who have been eagerly awaiting their captain’s return to full fitness. His leadership has been vital to the team’s performances over the years, and his absence would have created a major gap in both the squad’s batting and tactical setup.
The 2024 T20I season saw Samson in top form, accumulating 436 runs from 13 matches with an average of 43.60. His performances were pivotal for India, particularly when he opened the batting, even scoring three centuries against strong teams like Bangladesh and South Africa. However, his form dipped during the T20I series against England earlier in 2025, where he managed to score just 51 runs in five innings at a dismal average of 10.20. Despite this setback, Samson’s overall career has been marked by consistency and resilience. His ability to turn things around in high-pressure situations will be crucial for Rajasthan Royals as they attempt to overcome their long-standing IPL title drought.
Samson’s IPL career has been just as impactful. In the previous season, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals, accumulating 531 runs from 15 innings at an average of 48.27 and a blistering strike rate of 153.46. His best score during the season was 86, and he also contributed with five half-centuries. His batting has remained one of the cornerstones of Rajasthan’s lineup, and with his return to full fitness, they will look to him to lead from the front once again. The Royals will need his experience and ability to anchor the innings to guide them through difficult situations in the 2025 season.
Despite their strong finish in the points table last season, Rajasthan Royals’ hopes were dashed in Qualifier 2, where they were knocked out by Sunrisers Hyderabad, falling short by 36 runs. This near miss was a painful reminder of how close they are to breaking their 17-year trophy drought, but also of how much more they need to do to lift the coveted IPL trophy. With Sanju Samson back in action and in prime condition, the Royals will hope to finally cross that final hurdle.
In addition to Samson’s return, Rajasthan Royals have made some significant changes to their coaching staff, signaling their intent to push for the title in IPL 2025. The franchise has brought back former India captain Rahul Dravid as head coach, a move that is expected to bring experience, stability, and a calm presence to the dressing room. Dravid’s deep understanding of the game and leadership qualities make him an excellent fit for the team, and his return is seen as a positive step towards improving Rajasthan’s consistency and performance in the tournament.
Furthermore, the team has appointed Vikram Rathour as the new batting coach. Rathour’s insights into batting technique, mental approach, and game strategies will be crucial for enhancing the batting department. With Rajasthan Royals' batting lineup potentially carrying the weight of their expectations, Rathour's expertise will be key to developing players’ skills and refining their approaches to various match situations. In addition, Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as the spin-bowling coach, a role that will play a pivotal part in Rajasthan’s tactical setup. Bahutule’s experience with spin bowlers will help bring the best out of their spinners, who could be an important factor in the team’s pursuit of the title.
As the season progresses, the revamped coaching staff and the return of a fully-fit Sanju Samson will inspire confidence among Rajasthan Royals supporters. Their squad looks poised for another challenge at the title, and fans will be hoping for an IPL season that finally sees the franchise add their second title to the trophy cabinet. If the squad can gel well under the leadership of Samson, supported by the expertise of the new coaching staff, this could finally be the year Rajasthan breaks their long IPL trophy drought. With the backing of an enthusiastic fanbase and a solid, well-rounded team, Rajasthan Royals have the potential to lift the trophy and end their 17-year-long wait for glory.
