Rajasthan Royals have handed the captaincy baton to 24-year-old Riyan Parag ahead of IPL 2026, a decisive move that signals a fresh chapter for the franchise after a turbulent off-season. The promotion follows Sanju Samson’s exit to Chennai Super Kings — a high-profile trade that brought in all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to bolster RR’s balance and firepower.
Parag isn’t new to the role. He captained the side briefly last season when Samson was sidelined and, despite an underwhelming team record in those eight matches, he posted healthy personal returns, including a career-best 95 at Eden Gardens. That innings — a display of temperament amid pressure — appears to have weighed heavily in the franchise’s decision.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Parag was one of several candidates interviewed by head coach Kumar Sangakkara before the leadership call was made. Owner Manoj Badale stressed the long view in announcing Parag’s elevation, praising the youngster’s ambition and self-awareness. The messaging from the top is clear: RR want a leader who knows the dressing room, understands the ethos of the franchise and can grow into a long-term figurehead.
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That continuity also roots from Parag’s seven seasons with the Royals — a player who knows the DNA and has worn the jersey through highs and lows. Parag’s first challenge will be to unify a 25-man squad that now includes heavyweight additions and homegrown talents. He’s spoken candidly about that task, saying he wants “25 different individuals on the same page” and already thinking about culture, communication and role clarity.
Royals fam, it’s time to get behind your new Captain! 💪💗 pic.twitter.com/OjodsT0fu5
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 13, 2026
Among the internal contenders were Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel, both of whom Parag says have been supportive and will be important to his leadership setup. The new captain inherits a side that underperformed in 2025 and parted ways with mentor Rahul Dravid; Sangakkara’s appointment as head coach signals a strategic reset.
Riyan Parag’s form offers reason for optimism — he averaged north of 50 in 2024 and has been a consistent middle-order run collector for the franchise. But off-field savvy will matter as much as on-field runs: managing big egos, rotations and media noise is now part of his job description.
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This is a bold, growth-oriented pick. RR have sacrificed an established leader and gained balance via Jadeja and Curran; in return they’ve placed trust in a homegrown talent to steer the ship. If Parag can translate his attacking instincts into calm leadership, Rajasthan Royals could see a marked improvement in cohesion and results. The stage is set for a compelling leadership experiment in IPL 2026 — one that will be watched closely by fans and pundits alike.
