IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals in limbo with Samson’s return still uncertain

Dubai: Rajasthan Royals’ season continues to unravel, and the absence of Sanju Samson remains a major stumbling block. The skipper, nursing a side strain, has now missed back-to-back games, and with no clear timeline for his return, the Royals appear rudderless during the most critical stage of their campaign.

The 2008 champions slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat — and seventh overall — after falling short by 11 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday in the Indian Premier League Season 18.

Rajasthan, chasing 206, were off to a flyer. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Nitish Rana smashed 110 runs in the first nine overs, cashing in as the dew neutralised a tricky pitch. But the familiar middle-overs stutter returned once stand-in skipper Riyan Parag was dismissed, allowing Bengaluru back into the contest.

“I thought at the halfway mark we were in the driving seat,” Parag said. “But we have ourselves to blame… we didn’t show enough intent against the spinners and didn’t execute well.”

While the defeats continue to pile up, what’s equally worrying for Rajasthan is the uncertainty around their captain’s fitness.

“Sanju picked up a bit of a side issue during the game against Delhi (Capitals),” said Rahul Dravid at the pre-match press conference. “He wasn’t fit for the last game or this one, and the medical team didn’t clear him to play.”

Dravid said the Royals took a cautious approach, opting to keep Samson off the road and under treatment.

“We didn’t want him travelling and making two more flights. We’ve kept the physio back with him to try and get him back as quickly as possible,” he said.

However, when pressed for a return date, Dravid offered no clarity. “I have no timeline to give as to when exactly he will be fit… we’re trying our best.”

In the post-match chat, Sandeep Sharma didn’t hold back about the impact of not having Samson around.

“His experience and leadership are things we can’t replace. Sanju’s such a smart player, and us missing him has impacted how we play. He couldn’t even start the season with us because of injury, and now, just when he was back for a few games, he’s hurt again. All of this adds up and makes it tough for us,” Sandeep said.

Rajasthan’s defeat wasn’t for lack of chances. After restricting Bengaluru to 205 for five, they needed only 18 runs from the final two overs. But Josh Hazlewood produced a game-changing penultimate over, conceding just one run and grabbing two wickets. He finished with 4 for 33 as Rajasthan ended on 194 for nine — another winnable chase gone wrong.

With just a handful of games left, Samson’s prolonged absence — compounded by a finger injury earlier in the tournament — couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Royals’ play-off hopes are still alive, but only just. And without their captain, the path ahead looks increasingly unclear.

“We gotta play for pride now,” Parag admitted.