Sanju Samson Seeks Clearance to Resume Wicket-Keeping Duties

Sanju Samson has taken a big stride towards his comeback to full fitness by visiting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) to undergo a clearance test. Rajasthan Royals captain flew from Guwahati to Bengaluru on March 31 to obtain approval from the CoE managers. The clearance will determine whether he can resume wicket-keeping duties again in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.

Sanju has featured Rajasthan Royals' initial three games but only as a batter. He had underwent surgery in his right index finger and was allowed only partial clearance to feature in the tournament. Owing to this constraint, he had to relinquish the captaincy to Riyan Parag and play as an Impact Player instead of in his usual role as a wicketkeeper-batter. Now that his injury is said to have healed, he has applied for a complete clearance to resume his main job as the team skipper and wicketkeeper.

People close to the Royals' camp say Sanju's thumb has recovered completely and he is sure of taking up his full duties. The ultimate call, however, lies with the Sport Science department at the CoE, where he will be subjected to medical tests and evaluations. If given the green light, he will most likely be back both as captain and wicket-keeper for Rajasthan Royals' next match. They have a quiet spell of almost a week in between their last and next game, so Sanju has well enough time to receive clearance and make a fine comeback.

Sanju has so far appeared in three matches of IPL 2025 but has not stepped on the field in any of them. He has made 66 off Sunrisers Hyderabad, 13 off Kolkata Knight Riders, and 20 off Chennai Super Kings. While he played only as a batter during these matches, Dhruv Jurel fulfilled the function of the wicket-keeper. With the Royals finally having won a match in the season against Chennai Super Kings at Guwahati, Sanju's return as a captain as well as wicketkeeper will be a huge relief for the team as they seek to gain momentum. 

Rajasthan Royals started off their IPL journey on a weak note, losing the initial two matches before winning one. Their subsequent itinerary includes an away match against Punjab Kings on April 5 followed by Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on April 9. After they complete the away matches, they will resume at Jaipur, their home ground, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 13. The return of their actual wicketkeeper and skipper may be the turning point in these critical matches.

Rajasthan Royals management and fans will be eagerly waiting for their marquee player to be at his best. Sanju as a wicketkeeper not only provides solidity to the team but also leadership and experience to the team. His role as a wicketkeeper allows him to play a more significant role in on-field decision-making, helping the bowlers with field settings and strategies. With the war in IPL 2025 ready to become fierce, Royals need their captain to lead from the front himself.

This action by Sanju to seek clearance from the CoE is a testament to his commitment towards his team and his willingness to give in all possible ways. His form and fitness will be a key factor for Rajasthan Royals this season. If he gets the green signal, the team will be at full strength once again, and the fans will be eagerly awaiting to see their captain resume his full role.