Riyan Parag set to take full-time captaincy reins at Rajasthan Royals

Riyan Parag has been one of the best batters for Rajasthan Royals since the last few years.

Young batter Riyan Parag is all set to be appointed as the new full-time captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The sources close to the developments have revealed Khel Now that the franchise has decided to make a leadership change amid Sanju Samson‘s likely move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Sanju Samson, who has been captaining RR in the IPL since 2021, in on verge to part ways with the team. The five-time IPL champions CSK are keen to trade the keeper-batter, and if that doesn’t go well, then the batter will be there at the mini-auction, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will battle with CSK for him.

With Sanju Samson moving on from the franchise, Riyan Parag is most likely to take on as full-time captain of the franchise. The franchise is also looking for a long-term association with the Assam-based batting all-rounder. The youngster has been performing well since the last few seasons with the bat and also has been chipping in with the ball.

A source who is close to the developments said,“Rajasthan Royals will be giving Parag full-time captaincy. The franchise is also looking for a long-term association with the all-rounder.” On Sanju, he stated: “Chennai Super Kings are considering to trade in Sanju Samson ahead of IPL 2026. If the trade doesn’t happen and he goes to the auction table, CSK and KKR will battle it out for him.”

Riyan Parag captained the Rajasthan Royals in the absence of Sanju Samson in IPL 2025

Riyan Parag captained RR for a decent amount of the time in IPL 2025. He started the league as a skipper when Sanju Samson wasn’t deemed fully fit for the first few games due to finger injury. After that, in the mid-season, the keeper-batter faced a hamstring injury, and then again Parag captained the side.

Parag showed decent composure as a captain, although he didn’t take his team to glory. He also led from the front, slamming 393 runs in the season at a strike rate of over 166 to go with one half-century, when he slammed 95 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Parag getting the full-time captaincy will mark the beginning of a new era in RR. For a long time, Sanju Samson has been the face of the franchise, and with him being set to move away, Parag will have a massive responsibility on his shoulders going ahead.

He would be keen to change the fortunes of the team and bring them their second title. RR’s first and only title win so far came in the inaugural edition in 2008.

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