Riyan Parag is set to be appointed Rajasthan Royals’ new captain ahead of IPL 2026, following Sanju Samson’s move to Chennai Super Kings in a high-profile trade that brought Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to the franchise.
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The 24-year-old is no stranger to leadership. Parag captained Rajasthan in eight matches last season when Samson was sidelined with injury. While the team managed just two wins in that stretch, Parag impressed with the bat, averaging 38.57 and registering a career-best 95 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
It is understood that Parag was among a select group of players interviewed by head coach Kumar Sangakkara before the franchise finalised its decision. His appointment signals a fresh leadership chapter for Rajasthan, who are also set to begin the season with a new head coach after Rahul Dravid parted ways with the team following a disappointing 2025 campaign in which they finished second from bottom with four wins in 14 games.
Since making his IPL debut in 2019, Parag has featured in all seven seasons for Rajasthan. He played every match over the past two editions, with 2024 marking his most productive season. He amassed 573 runs at an average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21. Overall, Parag has scored 1,566 runs and taken seven wickets in 84 matches for the Royals.
Samson, who represented Rajasthan for 11 seasons, had hinted after the previous campaign that he was seeking a new challenge and was open to parting ways with the franchise.
