Rajasthan Royals notched their first win of IPL 2025 on Sunday by defeating five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati. Known for punching above their weight, the 2008 IPL champions showcased their fighting spirit on a secondary home ground, with the match drawing an enthusiastic local crowd.
A New Home in Guwahati
Although Jaipur remains RR’s primary home, this season the franchise has embraced Guwahati as its second home ground. The support was in full force, particularly with local star Riyan Parag leading the team in the initial matches. The atmosphere was further electrified by Bollywood actress Malaika Arora, who was spotted cheering in RR colours alongside RR’s Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara—an appearance that surprised many on social media.
Leadership and Wicketkeeping Developments
In a significant off-field development, regular skipper Sanju Samson traveled to Bengaluru from Guwahati on Monday to seek clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence’s Sport Science wing. Samson, who has played as an impact substitute (pure batter) thus far due to a right index finger surgery, is expected to resume his wicketkeeping duties and return as captain if he receives approval.
According to Cricbuzz, Samson will undergo testing and is slated to rejoin full duties for the remaining games. He had temporarily handed over the captaincy to Riyan Parag for the first three matches, and his anticipated return as skipper could bring a renewed sense of stability to the team. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel has taken over the wicketkeeping responsibilities.
On-Field Performances
So far, Sanju Samson has registered scores of 66 (against SRH), 13 (against KKR), and 20 (against CSK) in the three matches he has played. The win over CSK, which broke a streak of two defeats, was a crucial turnaround for the Royals. With this victory, RR have set the stage for a promising campaign in IPL 2025.
Upcoming Fixtures
Looking ahead, the Rajasthan Royals are set to play an away match against Punjab Kings on April 5, followed by another away fixture against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on April 9. The team will then return to Jaipur to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 13, aiming to build momentum as the season unfolds.
