India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has undergone surgery on his broken finger but is expected to be fit in time for IPL 2025, where he will lead the Rajasthan Royals (RR). The surgery was conducted on Tuesday, with a recovery period of around a month, ensuring that he will be ready before the tournament begins in late March.
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Injury During England T20I Series
Samson sustained the injury during the fifth T20I against England on February 2 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. While facing Jofra Archer, a sharp delivery struck him on the index finger, causing immediate pain. Despite receiving on-field treatment, Samson continued to bat but was dismissed shortly after.
Due to the injury, he did not keep wickets in the second innings, with Dhruv Jurel stepping in for wicketkeeping duties. India won the match by 150 runs, sealing a dominant series victory.
Samson’s Struggles Against England and International Setback
The injury forced Samson to miss Kerala’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Jammu & Kashmir, which began on February 8 in Pune. His recent international form has been below par, managing just 51 runs in five matches during the England T20I series at a low average of 10.20 and a strike rate of 118.60.
Samson struggled against short-pitched bowling, with English pacers consistently targeting his weakness. This led to his exclusion from India’s ODI squad against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Additionally, his absence from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign and missing the team’s preparatory camp also played a role in the selectors overlooking him.
Focus on IPL 2025 and Leading Rajasthan Royals
With international opportunities currently limited, Samson’s next big assignment is leading Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. Under his captaincy last season, RR had a strong run, reaching the playoffs before being knocked out by Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.
Now, fully focused on his recovery and IPL preparation, Samson will be eager to regain his best form and make a statement ahead of future international opportunities.