Sanju Samson to miss IPL 2025? Three Players Rajasthan Royals may Target to replace India star

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Sanju Samson's cricket has taken a potentially major hiatus as the India star suffered a finger injury in the 5th T20I match against England.

A delivery from Jofra Archer struck Samson's fingers, which has reportedly damaged the wicketkeeper's index finger.

Samson has suffered a finger fracture and as a result, he is expected to be sidelined for approximately four to six weeks. Samson is set to miss out Kerala's upcoming Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Jammu & Kashmir, which is a significant blow for him.

As per the latest reports, the severity of the injury is pretty high and the India player's recovery can be tricky. With IPL 2025 set to start from March 21, the injury has jeopardized Samson's involvement in it.

Will Sanju Samson miss IPL 2025?

The India player is expected to return to action within last week of March, which means he may miss a maximum of two matches for Rajasthan Royals. Being captain of the side, the Kerala player's absence is a blow for the franchise, but the Royals will bide their time without Samson if he is certain to return early in the tournament.

But if Samson's recovery faces uncertainty and the injury period is extended, Rajasthan Royals may have to look into the market for other options.

IPL 2025: Three players Rajasthan Royals can target if Samson is unavailable

Mayank Agarwal

Karnataka batter Mayank Agarwal went unsold in the auction but has found form in domestic cricket. With a wealth of experience behind him, Agarwal can be a viable option for Rajasthan Royals to replace Sanju Samson. The India player can keep wickets and open the batting, which fits the criteria for the Royals.

Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan has been a sporadic player for India in Test format but hasn't been able to fetch a deal in the IPL 2025 mega auction. If Samson is not fit, Royals may turn their attention to Sarfaraz, who is not just an explosive batter, but can do the job behind the stumps as well.

Shai Hope

With two overseas slots still usable, Rajasthan Royals can turn their attention for Shai Hope if Sanju Samson fails to feature in IPL 2025. The West Indies player is a quality batter and can be a pillar for them up in the order. Hope's ability behind the stumps is an added impetus for the Royals. Hope has limited IPL experience with Delhi Capitals, but is a decent addition to any squad.