• Rajasthan Royals regular captain Sanju Samson did not feature in the playing XI against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.

  • In place of Samson, young Vaibhav Suryavanshi was handed his IPL debut.

IPL 2025: Here’s why RR’s Sanju Samson is not playing today’s game against LSG
Why Sanju Samson is not playing against LSG (Image Source: X)

Match 36 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 features a high-stakes showdown between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Both teams are desperate to get back to winning ways after inconsistent performances in the season so far. The match is being played at a crucial juncture where every win could significantly impact the playoff race.

Reason why Sanju Samson is not playing today’s game

In a surprising turn of events, Rajasthan Royals regular captain Sanju Samson did not feature in the playing XI. Riyan Parag walked out for the toss, taking over leadership duties, while Rishabh Pant represented LSG. Parag did not elaborate on Samson’s absence, but it was later learned that Samson is not fully fit. He sustained an injury during RR’s previous match against Delhi Capitals (DC) and was rested for precautionary reasons.

Historic debut for Vaibhav Suryavanshi

In place of Samson, young Vaibhav Suryavanshi was handed his IPL debut—a moment that will go down in the tournament’s history books. At just 14 years and 23 days old, the prodigious talent not only became the youngest player ever to feature in an IPL match, but also captured the attention of cricket fans around the world with his remarkable rise.

Also READ: Cracks in the Rajasthan Royals camp? Sanju Samson and Rahul Dravid’s icy exchange raises rift rumours

Playing XI of both teams

Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Riyan Parag (c), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande

Impact substitutes

LSG: Ayush Badoni, Mayank Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh

RR: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Kunal Singh Rathore

Also READ: IPL 2025: Rift between Rahul Dravid and Sanju Samson? Rajasthan Royals head coach responds to the viral footage

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