Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal fit for Royals' 2025 season opener
What's the story
In a major boost for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), their star players Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Sanju Samson have been declared fit for the IPL 2025 opener.
The duo and the Royals will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23.
After recovering from an ankle injury, Jaiswal has already joined the Royals' camp.
Meanwhile, Samson will join the team on Monday after passing his fitness test at BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Here's more.
Fitness journey
Samson's recovery and return
Samson, who recently had surgery for a fractured right index finger sustained during the home T20I series against England last month, is expected to join his team after receiving final clearance from BCCI's Center of Excellence.
A source told Times of India, "Samson is joining RR on Monday. He has cleared his fitness test for batting at the BCCI's CoE and now the medical team at the CoE is taking his wicket-keeping test as well before releasing him."
Rehabilitation
Jaiswal's recovery and preparation
Jaiswal, who was recently named in India's 2025 Champions Trophy reserves, had missed Mumbai's Ranji Trophy 2024-25 semifinal against Vidarbha due to ankle pain.
He then underwent rehabilitation at BCCI's Center of Excellence in Bengaluru before being cleared to play in the IPL.
The franchise recently took to social media to announce his return with the caption "JaisBall season has arrived."
Numbers - Samson
Royals skipper's 2024 IPL and overall numbers
During the 2024 season, Samson smashed 531 runs in 15 matches. He managed an average of 48.27 while stirring at 153.47.
Additionally, he also hammered five fifties alongside a high score of 86.
Overall, he owns 4,419 runs in 167 matches at 30.68 with a strike rate of 138.69 alongside three hundreds and 25 fifties.
Stats - Jaiswal
Jaiswal's 2024 IPL and overall IPL numbers
The Royals opener managed 435 runs in 15 games during the 2024 edition. He had an average of 31.07, alongside a strike rate of 155.91.
Notably, he also smashed one hundred and fifty, each boasting a high score of 104*.
Overall, since his debut in 2020, Jaiswal has racked up 1,607 runs from 52 matches at 32.14.
His strike rate reads 150.61, and he also owns two hundreds and nine fifties.