Riyan Parag, left, with Kumar Sangakkara, during the pre-season press conference (PTI Photo) Riyan Parag’s move as the full-time captain of Rajasthan Royals is one of the most anticipated sub-plots ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, especially after the departure of Sanju Samson, who was arguably the face of the franchise till last season.It’s a conversation that will remain front and center throughout the campaign.
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Ajit Agarkar is knocking on BCCI’s door asking for a huge extension | World Cup Samson’s move to Chennai Super Kings in a trade deal involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran has prompted many to believe that his successor is already in place. But in Parago, much like Samson, a longtime Royals player, management has shown faith in building a new face for the franchise for the long haul.While the pressure will be on the youngster to justify that support, potentially with a title, the 24-year-old remains confident he will inspire the team.“I think I saw it all as a teenager … maybe more downs than ups,” Parag said during a preseason conference call. “But I’m really proud to get out of it. All I’m trying to do this year is try to win the IPL. Not really thinking about individual things… 600-700 runs or whatever.”He may not admit it outright, but there’s no doubt that personal milestones stay in the background. With Samson gone and youngsters like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal on top, Parag will be a vital cog in the batting line-up.Last season he scored 393 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.75, following up a stellar 2024 campaign where he amassed 573 runs at 52.09.Another less discussed aspect is Paraga’s bowling. He bowled 120 deliveries last season, picking three wickets, largely operating as a possession option. This time, however, the question is whether the captain will be inclined to use the ball more, or whether his role will remain unchanged.Parag suggests that it will largely depend on match situations.“I feel like we talked about it last year … it was about finding the right matchup for the goal and the teams I can play against,” Parag said. “My job was to set it up for our main bowlers… if I ended up getting a wicket it was a bonus. As a captain… assess the conditions, assess the game situations, if I need more overs I will do it,” he added.What he is sure of, however, is the need to separate the roles.“When I’m batting, I’m a batsman. When I’m on the field, I’m a captain,” he explained. “When I mix them, then the pressure increases.Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaign on March 30 against Samson’s Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati, followed by an away match against Gujarat Titans before returning to Guwahati to face Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
