March 23, 2025: Riyan Parag, the stand-in captain for Rajasthan Royals, won the toss and decided to bowl first in their IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Parag’s decision to bowl comes as the Royals aim to chase down a competitive total set by the SRH batting lineup.
Sanju Samson, the regular captain of Rajasthan Royals, continues his recovery from an injury and will feature as an impact substitute for the match. His presence provides vital depth to the Royals’ squad as they look to make an early impact this season.
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The Rajasthan Royals’ playing XI for today’s match is as follows: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (w), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. In addition to Samson, Kunal Singh Rathore, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka, and others form part of the larger squad.
For SRH, the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head will look to provide a blazing start, while the batting order also includes Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. On the bowling front, SRH has strengthened its attack with the additions of Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel, joining the experienced Pat Cummins as the leaders of the pace department. Rahul Chahar and Adam Zampa provide options in the spin department.
SRH, last year’s runners-up, will look to continue their strong batting performances from the previous season. The team has already shown they are capable of posting massive totals, surpassing the 250-run mark on multiple occasions. With the explosive opening pair of Head and Sharma and the firepower from their new arrivals, SRH will be eager to put on an impressive display.
Rajasthan Royals, without Jos Buttler, will rely on their dynamic top-order, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and the always-reliable Sanju Samson, who has often been a game-changer. Jaiswal’s ability to attack pace and his explosive batting style will be crucial for Rajasthan’s success, and the Royals will look to capitalize on his aggressive approach to counter SRH’s firepower.
With both teams having exciting squads, this encounter promises to be a thrilling start to the IPL 2025 campaign for both sides. The key battle will be between SRH’s powerful batting lineup and Rajasthan’s bowlers who have the ability to rise to the occasion, making it a must-watch match for all IPL fans.