IPL 2025 RCB vs RR | No timeline on Samson’s return, says RR coach Dravid

Rajasthan Royals' Sanju Samson's injury status assessed day-to-day; Rahul Dravid confident in Riyan Parag's captaincy.

Sanju Samson’s injury status will be assessed on a “day-to-day basis”, Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid said here on Wednesday.

Samson, who suffered an injury during the match against Delhi Capitals last week, will not feature in RR’s outing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru here on Thursday. Riyan Parag will continue as the RR captain.

“Sanju couldn’t play the last game (against LSG), and for this game, our medical team did not rule him fit to play. So we took the decision not to risk his travel to Bengaluru,” Dravid said at the pre-match press conference. “We will try and get him back as quickly as possible. I have no timeline as to when exactly he will be fit,” Dravid added.

On stand-in skipper Parag, Dravid said: “I think he’s getting the pulse of the game really well for someone who’s so young and just starting out with captaincy.”

Not a challenge

Dravid is getting around with the aid of crutches and a wheelchair, having injured his leg before the start of IPL 2025. Dravid explained that this decreased mobility does not stop him from discharging his duties in full.

“It (the leg injury) has not been a challenge. As a coach, you don’t have to score runs or take any catches. A coach has to use his brains and mouth, and that seems to be in decent order. So no excuses or worries on that front,” Dravid said with a chuckle.