Riyan Parag Set to Become Rajasthan Royals Captain Ahead of IPL 2026
Riyan Parag is set to be appointed as the new captain of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League. The decision follows the departure of longtime skipper Sanju Samson, who has been traded to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
The trade deal sees RR acquire two prominent allrounders — Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran — in exchange for Samson, marking one of the most significant player movements ahead of the new season.
Parag, 24, is no stranger to leadership responsibilities. He captained RR during IPL 2025 when Samson was sidelined for eight matches due to injury. Under Parag’s leadership, RR secured two wins in eight games. Individually, however, Parag impressed with the bat, averaging 38.57 during that period, including a career-best 95 against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Parag was among a select group of players interviewed by head coach Kumar Sangakkara before the franchise finalized its decision. RR will enter IPL 2026 with both a new captain and a new head coach after Rahul Dravid parted ways with the franchise following the 2025 season. RR endured a disappointing campaign last year, finishing second from bottom with just four wins in 14 matches.
Since making his IPL debut in 2019, Parag has been a consistent presence in the Royals’ setup, featuring in all seven seasons for the franchise. He has played every match in the last two editions, with 2024 emerging as his most productive season. That year, he amassed 573 runs at an impressive average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21. Overall, Parag has played 84 matches for RR, scoring 1,566 runs and picking up seven wickets.
Samson, who represented RR for 11 seasons, had indicated after the previous campaign that he was seeking a fresh start and had requested to be released. His move to CSK signals the end of an era for the Royals, while Parag’s elevation marks the beginning of a new leadership chapter for the franchise.