'Injured' Sanju Samson ruled out of RR vs LSG match, replaced by history-maker Vaibhav Suryavanshi

In a huge blow for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the star wicketkeeper-batsman and the skipper of the team - Sanju Samson - has been ruled out of the match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Sanju Samson will be missing the 36th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, April 19.

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Sanju Samson got injured vs Delhi Capitals

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain, Sanju Samson, has been ruled out of the match against LSG due to an abdominal injury. He suffered the injury in a previous match against Delhi Capitals.

Sanju Samson came out to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal while chasing the target and looked in fine touch. He played an attacking brand of cricket, but his innings ended in a tragic fashion.

Samson slammed 31 runs off 19 balls before being retired hurt. Notably, the injury happened during the sixth over when he tried to cut Vipraj Nigam and missed.

He immediately clutched at his left side, around the rib cage, and was given treatment by the physio. On the next delivery, which was a free hit, Samson hit it to long-off but was in extreme pain and decided to leave the field.

Riyan Parag replaces Sanju Samson as captain, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi included in the playing XI

The star batsman Riyan Parag, the designated vice-captain of Rajasthan Royals, is leading the team in the absence of Samson.

Notably, Sanju Samson was not fully fit in the first three matches of the tournament for the Rajasthan Royals as he was recovering from a finger injury, and at that time as well Parag was handed the captaincy.

Meanwhile, Parag announced at the toss that the 14-year-old left-handed batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be replacing Samson in the XI.

With his debut at the age of 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has created history by becoming the youngest debutant in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Also, there is no timeline yet for Samson's return to fitness.

Experts pick Sanju Samson's replacement as an opener

During an interaction on ESPNCricinfo ahead of the Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants clash, the veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara and former cricketer Ambati Rayudu picked the replacement of Sanju Samson as an opener in the Rajasthan Royals (RR) playing XI.

Cheteshwar Pujara said that he wants the RR vice-captain Riyan Parag to take up the opening spot because he has been struggling while batting at the No.3 position. He explained:

"I would go with Riyan Parag because he has struggled a bit at number three. When he walks into bat and if spinners are bowling on a slower track, he took his time. He played about eight to ten balls and hasn't scored heavily.

"So it's the perfect opportunity to promote him up the order while the seamers are bowling and he can make use of the power play. So if he can open with Yashasvi, then I think that will be a good combination for them."

Ambati Rayudu was on the same with Cheteshwar Pujara, and he also backed Riyan Parag to open the innings to end his struggles in IPL 2025. He elaborated:

"I think I would go with Riyan as well because he's been struggling and also Nitish has been batting well at three, four and five. So we want to keep that middle order intact and maybe push Hetmyer to a three or four. I think that should be good for RR."