IPL 2025: Sanju Samson Joins Rajasthan Royals Camp But Can He Keep Wickets After Finger Surgery?

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Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson has officially joined the franchise's camp ahead of IPL 2025, following a finger surgery last month. The star wicketkeeper-batter, who played a crucial role for RR the previous season, is back in action.

Still, questions remain over whether he will don the gloves for the upcoming season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 at the Uppal Stadium.

According to reports from ESPNCricinfo, Samson was undergoing rehabilitation at Bengaluru's Centre of Excellence and has resumed training. However, it remains uncertain if he will be fit enough to keep wickets from the very first game. If RR decides to play it safe, young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel could step in as the primary keeper for the team.

Samson sustained the injury during the fifth T20I against England in February when a Jofra Archer delivery struck his finger while batting. The impact forced him to relinquish wicketkeeping duties, with Jurel stepping in as a replacement behind the stumps.

Despite RR's ups and downs last season, Sanju Samson enjoyed a stellar IPL 2024 campaign. The skipper amassed 531 runs in 15 innings at an impressive average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46. He registered five half-centuries, with a highest score of 86, finishing as the tournament's fifth-highest run-getter.

All-rounder Riyan Parag, who was RR's highest run-getter last season, has also returned from injury. After recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the T20I series against South Africa and England, Parag proved his form in the Ranji Trophy, where he struck a half-century and bowled 26 overs for Assam against Saurashtra.

Parag had a breakout IPL 2024 campaign, scoring 573 runs at an average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21. His promotion to the No. 3 spot played a significant role in RR's success, and the team will once again rely on his firepower in the upcoming season.

Rajasthan Royals will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, followed by two home games in Guwahati against Kolkata Knight Riders (March 26) and Chennai Super Kings (March 30). With Samson's fitness under scrutiny, RR's team management will closely monitor his recovery before making a final call on his wicketkeeping duties.