The Royals batting looks decent but there is the issue of consistency and lack of depth that could be telling as the tournament wears on.
Following RR's six run win at the Barsapara cricket stadium, a video surfaced online showing Parag tossing a phone back to security personnel after posing for a photo with them.
273 runs to his name, he has surged to the second position in the Orange Cap race and also became the first Indian to cross the 200-run mark in IPL 2025.
The Rajasthan Royals entered the IPL 2025 auction with a strategic approach, carefully balancing retention and acquisition.
Samson could lose out as he decided to skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Chennai Super Kings might feel more 'at home' against an equally clueless Rajasthan Royals on a slow turner expected to be on offer in their next IPL game in Guwahati.
The left-hander clobbered eight sixes and five fours in his scintillating 79 off 34 balls as India chased down a modest 133-run target in 12.5 overs.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram didn't turn away from lavishing praise on India's Sanju Samson for his sheer class on display during the opening T20I in Durban.
Sanju Samson's ebullient maiden T20 International hundred dotted India's resounding 133-run victory and 3-0 series sweep over a listless Bangladesh.
Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson says he is still not over Jos Buttler leaving the team and wishes the IPL would change its rule of releasing players every three years.
India's 297/6 is the highest total by a ICC full member team in T20 Internationals and the second highest overall after Nepal's 314/3 against Mongolia in the Asian Games last year.
SRH's Abhinav Manohar made up for his batting failure with a brilliant catch at point.
Sanju Samson will feel hard done by after being left out and so will Mohammed Siraj.
Finishing with 2/34 on a batting-friendly pitch, Harshal Patel played a key role in stifling Royals' momentum in the middle overs.
Rajasthan Royals face a tough challenge against a marauding Punjab Kings batting lineup, led by in-form Shreyas Iyer.
'This time, even after we led 2-1 in the series, we decided how to play the last match (aggressively), everybody stepped up. Credit goes to everybody. We won this series as a team.'
IMAGES from the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday
Since Suryakumar took over as captain last year, India have hardly put a wrong but his own form has dipped.
Shami last played for India in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad after which he was sidelined because of an ankle injury which needed surgery.
Sai Sudharsan's classy fifty combined with a collective bowling effort powered Gujarat Titans to a commanding 58-run win over Rajasthan Royals.
'@IamSanjuSamson, who hit a century in his last ODI, has not been picked for ODIs, while @IamAbhiSharma4, who hit a T20I century in the #INDvZIM series, has not been picked at all/'
The three players will travel back home to India with the rest of the T20 World Cup winning squad.
Riding high on their new-found confidence, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping to finally get it right at home and keep their play-off hopes alive when they take on a struggling Rajasthan Royals in their IPL match in Kolkata on Sunday.
IMAGES from the fourth and deciding T20I played between South Africa and India in Johannesburg on Friday
Sanju Samson, who will be leading Rajasthan Royals for a fifth successive year, credits Rahul Dravid's leadership as a major influence on his own approach.
Sanju Samson's technical weaknesses against express pace along with Rinku Singh's dip in form and fitness issues will be a concern for India
Rising star Riyan Parag will lead Rajasthan Royals in the first three IPL games, as regular captain Sanju Samson will be playing as a specialist batter cum Impact Substitute.
The word 'Champions' is prominently displayed on the front of the jersey, leaving no doubt about their recent achievement.
India opener Abhishek Sharma suffered an ankle injury during a catching drill at the nets in Chennai on Friday.
Sanju Samson has etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player to feature in the IPL as he turned out for Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur.
More than the numbers, it was the swagger. The intent. The ease with which he handled the pressure. Vaibhav didn't look like a passenger in the IPL -- he looked like he belonged.
When the umpires conducted the routine check on Parag's bat, it was found to be non-compliant. As a result, he was asked to switch to a different bat before resuming his innings.
Regarded as an utility player, young Kerala wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson credits Rahul Dravid for his growth, and said the former captain played a big role in turning him into a 'better cricketer'.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals played in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Images from the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur on Saturday
With just two wins from eight outings, Rajasthan find themselves languishing in eighth place on the points table.
Kumble said it was surprising to see Vijaykumar not being retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru and backed the Karnataka bowler to do well.
Harbhajan, however, felt the current crop of spinners lack aggression.
The contest between laggards Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals holds no significance in the context of the IPL 2025 play-offs.
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