Rajasthan Royals captain Sanja Samson made his much-anticipated return from injury during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against the Punjab Kings. In a move that underlines both leadership and vision, Samson raised the curtains on his batting spot for the match against Punjab Kings.

Sanju Samson unveils his batting order against PBKS

Samson’s return was eagerly awaited by fans and pundits alike, especially after a month-long absence due to an abdominal injury. Before his injury, Samson had been Rajasthan’s preferred opener, consistently delivering at the top of the order. However, his absence paved the way for 14-year-old Vaibhav suryavanshi to step into the spotlight. Suryavanshi seized the opportunity spectacularly, smashing a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans and becoming the youngest-ever centurion in T20 cricket feat that captured global attention and instantly made him one of the breakout stars of IPL 2025.

With Samson fit and back in the XI, speculation was rife about whether he would reclaim his opening slot. Addressing the question directly at the toss, Samson stated, “I would love to respect where he (Suryavanshi) is batting. He has played well for us. I will bat down the order”. This clear endorsement not only rewards Suryavanshi’s extraordinary performances but also sends a powerful message about meritocracy and nurturing young talent.

RR building for the future after an early exit from IPL 2025

Samson’s decision comes at a time when Rajasthan are already out of playoff contention, making the match against Punjab more about pride and future planning than immediate stakes. While Suryavanshi’s form has dipped in recent games, with low scores against Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight RidersSamson’s public show of faith could prove invaluable for the young opener’s confidence and development.

By choosing to bat at number three, Samson reinforces the Royals’ commitment to fostering emerging talent and building a team for the future. His return also restores leadership and stability to a side that has struggled with inconsistency in the latter half of the season. With Nitish Rana ruled out due to injury, Samson’s presence in the middle order and as captain is a boost for the Royals, both on and off the field. Meanwhile PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first in the important game against RR.