File pic: Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag (R) with Sanju Samson. (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has addressed the biggest talking point ahead of IPL 2026 – the absence of long-time leader and star batsman Sanju Samson – with a striking comparison that underlines the extent of the void left behind.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Samson, the face of the franchise for over a decade, represented the Royals for 11 seasons before being traded to the Chennai Super Kings, where he will now feature in yellow. Rajasthan brought all-rounder Sam Curran and veteran Ravindra Jadeja to England in exchange, signaling a shift in the squad’s composition.
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Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag watches West Ham vs Man City in LondonIn a media interview on Thursday, Parag made it clear that replacing Samson is no easy task. “Sanju’s game is unique, you can’t compare him to anyone else. It’s like asking, ‘Who will replace Virat Kohli?’ – that’s just not possible,” he said. “However, every player plays to win and everyone has different abilities.Parag also reflected on the team’s shortcomings last season, especially in crunch moments. “We were losing games in the closing stages. If we had played with more freedom – or managed to hit the boundary at a crucial moment or prevented the opponent from doing so – we would have progressed further. This time we are addressing and correcting these mistakes,” he added.
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New look Royals bank in balance, versatile powerThe RR captain emphasized that the team has worked to build a balanced team. “We have a good mix of spinners and pace bowlers. There is a right mix of righties and lefties in the batting as well. We have high expectations from Ravindra Jadeja, he is a great all-rounder,” said Parag.On the issue of venues and home advantage, Parag rejected any further pressure. “Regardless of the venue, it’s always a mixed crowd. We tune out the noise and focus on our game. Our goal is to perform well wherever we play.”Head coach Kumar Sangakkara reiterated his confidence in the squad’s depth and future prospects, especially young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. “He is very young but he is showing amazing form. He is an important part of the team and we have a specific strategy for him,” Sangakkara said.
