Sanju Samson to Undergo Finger Surgery, Eyes IPL 2025 Comeback

Published on: February 12, 2025

Sanju Samson to Undergo Finger Surgery, Eyes IPL 2025 Comeback

Sanju Samson Undergoes Finger Surgery, Expected to Recover in Time for IPL 2025

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has recently undergone finger surgery but is expected to make a full recovery in time for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where he will continue to lead the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Reports indicate that his recovery timeline is estimated at around a month, ensuring he will be ready for the tournament, which is set to begin on the March 21-22-23 weekend.

The surgery was conducted on Tuesday, February 2025, following an injury he sustained earlier this month. Despite the setback, Samson is optimistic about returning to full fitness and leading RR in the upcoming IPL season.

Details of Samson’s Injury and Surgery

How the Injury Happened

Samson suffered the finger injury during the fifth T20I against England earlier in February 2025. The incident occurred when he was struck by a sharp delivery from England fast bowler Jofra Archer early in the innings. Despite the injury, Samson managed to score 16 runs off 7 balls before he was eventually subbed out due to discomfort. Dhruv Jurel replaced him behind the stumps and went on to have a successful outing, taking three catches in India’s massive 150-run victory.

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Following the match, medical scans confirmed that Samson required surgical intervention to address the injury, prompting him to go under the knife soon after. The surgery was successfully completed on Tuesday, and he is now on track for a four-week recovery period before he resumes full cricketing activities.

Missed Domestic Matches Due to Injury

The injury also forced Samson to miss crucial domestic matches, including Kerala’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final clash against Jammu & Kashmir, which was held in Pune from February 8. His absence was a significant blow to the Kerala team, as they relied heavily on his experience and leadership in the longer format.

This is not the first time Samson has had to miss domestic cricket due to national team commitments or injuries. Over the past few seasons, he has been in and out of the Indian squad, which has sometimes affected his participation in domestic tournaments.

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Samson’s Performance in the T20I Series Against England

Struggles with the Bat

Samson did not have an ideal T20I series against England, struggling with the bat across the five-match series. He managed to score just 51 runs in five innings, averaging a disappointing 10.20 with a strike rate of 118.60.

His scores across the series were:
• 1st T20I – 12 runs
• 2nd T20I – 8 runs
• 3rd T20I – 7 runs
• 4th T20I – 8 runs
• 5th T20I – 16 runs (before retiring hurt due to injury)

These numbers were well below expectations, given his talent and previous performances in the shortest format. The series highlighted some inconsistency in his batting, which has been a concern in his international career.

Competition for Wicketkeeper Role in India’s T20I Squad

With Rishabh Pant making a strong comeback, and Dhruv Jurel impressing as a wicketkeeper, Samson faces stiff competition for a permanent spot in India’s T20I setup. Additionally, Ishan Kishan and Jitesh Sharma are also in the mix for a place in India’s white-ball squad.

His performance in IPL 2025 will be crucial in determining his future in the Indian team, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon. A strong IPL season could put him back in contention for a place in the national squad.

Samson’s Recent ODI Performance and Absence from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy Squad

Last ODI Appearance and Century Against South Africa

Samson last played an ODI for India in December 2023 against South Africa, where he made a significant impact by scoring a century. His ton was well-received, showcasing his ability to perform in the 50-over format. However, India has played only three ODIs in 2024, and Samson has not been part of those games, leading to questions about his place in India’s future ODI plans.

Missed Vijay Hazare Trophy Due to Training Camp Absence

Samson was also left out of Kerala’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (India’s domestic one-day tournament) after he failed to attend the preparatory camp leading up to the tournament. While the exact reason for his absence from the camp is unclear, it ultimately led to his exclusion from the state team.

This decision sparked debates about his commitment to domestic cricket, with some critics suggesting that he should have participated in the tournament to strengthen his case for national selection. Others argued that given his commitments with the national team and the IPL, missing the Vijay Hazare Trophy was understandable.

Samson’s Leadership Role in Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2025

Continuing as RR Captain

Despite the setbacks, Samson’s immediate focus will be on leading the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2025. He has been at the helm of the franchise since 2021 and has played a key role in shaping the team’s identity. Under his captaincy, RR made it to the playoffs in IPL 2024 before being eliminated by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the second Qualifier.

RR has shown faith in Samson’s leadership, retaining him ahead of the 2025 season. He will be expected to guide the team to another successful campaign and possibly aim for the franchise’s second IPL title after their historic 2008 victory.

Strengths as a Captain

Samson has been praised for his calm demeanor and tactical awareness on the field. Some of his leadership strengths include:
• Backing young players – He has supported emerging talents like Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel, giving them opportunities to shine.
• Adaptability – He has shown the ability to make strategic changes depending on match situations.
• Leading from the front – Though inconsistent, Samson has played several match-winning innings for RR over the years.

However, one area where he will need to improve is consistency with the bat. As RR’s captain and one of their premier batters, Samson will be expected to score heavily in IPL 2025.

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Looking Ahead: IPL 2025 and Beyond

Recovery Timeline and Return to Action

With his one-month recovery period, Samson should be match-fit by mid-March 2025, allowing him to participate in Rajasthan Royals’ pre-season training before the IPL opener. His fitness will be closely monitored to ensure that he does not suffer any setbacks before the tournament begins.

A Crucial IPL Season for His Career

IPL 2025 will be crucial for Samson’s career in multiple ways:
1. Proving his fitness – After undergoing surgery, a successful IPL season will reinforce his durability as a player.
2. Reclaiming his spot in the Indian team – A strong IPL showing could put him back in the reckoning for international selection.
3. Leading RR to success – He will aim to take RR to the finals and possibly win the title.
4. Improving personal stats – He will look to deliver consistent performances with the bat to silence critics.

With the T20 World Cup in 2026 and India looking for reliable middle-order batters, Samson’s IPL performance will play a significant role in shaping his future in Indian cricket.

Conclusion

Sanju Samson’s finger surgery may have briefly sidelined him, but he is expected to make a full recovery in time for IPL 2025. His recent struggles in the T20I series against England, combined with stiff competition in India’s squad, make the upcoming IPL season a make-or-break moment for his career.

As the captain of Rajasthan Royals, he will have the responsibility of leading his team to another strong campaign while also proving his form and fitness. With a month to recover, all eyes will be on Samson as he prepares for one of the most crucial seasons of his career.