Why is Wanindu Hasaranga not playing SRH vs RR IPL 2025 match? Check RR playing XI

In a big news development, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are not playing their premier overseas spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for their opening clash in the ongoing 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) being played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. After performing consistently well during the entire league stage of the T20 competition, the Rajasthan Royals ended up losing the IPL 2024 Eliminator against the same opposition. However, with a few changes especially in the bowling department, the 2008 IPL winners will be hoping to do well this year as well, targetting their second title. 

Why is Wanindu Hasaranga not playing today's SRH vs RR IPL 2025 match?

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Rajasthan Royals stand-in captain Riyan Parag revealed that Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is not part of the RR playing XI on Sunday. During the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Rajasthan Royals team management bought the leggie at a price of INR 5.25 Crore. Incidentally, he missed the entire IPL 2024 season due to chronic heel pain in his left foot. 

While talking about Wanindu Hasaranga stats in IPL history, the Lankan leg-spinner has picked up as many as 35 wickets from 26 games at an economy of 8.13. It is still not clear as to why the Rajasthan Royals have not included him in the RR playing 11. On the other hand, RR are playing the likes of Jofra Archer, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Maheesh Theekshana and Shimron Hetmyer as the four overseas players while Parag has already revealed that Sanju Samson will come out as the Impact Player in the second innings. 

"Bowling first. Looks like a dry wicket so we'll have a crack at it later. (On captaincy) Means a lot, started here as a 17 year old. Getting to fill in big shoes, very excited. The impact rule helps with Sanju. We've retained a lot of our core so that helps with the batting order. The other three overseas will be Theekshana, Jofra and Farooqi. Always good to start well, we have practiced a lot," stated Rajasthan Royals stand-in captain Riyan Parag at the toss. 

Sanju Samson starts from the bench as Riyan Parag leads us for the first time 💗

Theekshana, Rana and Fazal and Deshpande make their Royals debut 💪@NEOM | #SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/lHOH5aQ3jS

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 23, 2025

RR Playing XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Rajasthan Royals Impact Subs: Sanju Samson, Kunal Singh Rathore, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka

RR IPL 2025 Squad

Sanju Samson (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Nitish Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey, Yudhvir Charak, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kwena Maphaka, Kunal Rathore, Ashok Sharma.