Riyan Parag discloses how did Yashasvi Jaiswal react to Rajasthan Royals captaincy call

In his first official statement as the newly appointed captain of the Rajasthan Royals Riyan Parag reflected on the foundation of support that led to this moment. He highlighted the crucial backing he received from former skipper Sanju Samson during previous seasons and spoke warmly of his close-knit bond with teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel. Parag also took a moment to acknowledge the unwavering support of the Royals' fanbase, who have remained loyal through the franchise's various phases of transition.

Riyan Parag reacts after becoming RR captain

This leadership change follows a massive strategic shift for the Royals, who moved on from Sanju Samson by trading him to the Chennai Super Kings in exchange for veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Seeking a long-term successor to anchor the team's future, the management looked toward their younger core. While Jaiswal and Jurel were considered strong contenders due to their rising international profiles, the franchise ultimately pivoted to Parag as the centerpiece of their long-term vision.

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Parag revealed that his preparation for this role actually began much earlier than many realized. In a recently released video, he shared that Sanju Samson personally encouraged him to be ready for leadership responsibilities as far back as the 2025 preseason. Following an injury Samson sustained during the England series, the former captain explicitly told Parag to prepare himself to step up and lead the side when called upon.

"When Jos (Buttler) left during the Eliminator or so, Sanju Bhaiya (Samson) asked me to be the second in command, helping him with the bowling and stuff like that. So that's when I actually started the whole leadership thing," Parag said.

The transition of power within the Rajasthan Royals was set in motion by an unexpected injury to Samson just before the start of the 2025 season. Even before the medical diagnosis was officially confirmed, Samson reached out to Parag via text to prepare him for the responsibility. Parag recalls the former captain’s foresight vividly, noting that Samson told him directly, "If this happens, you will have to step up."

Despite the internal discussions, the official announcement came quite late in the preseason. It was only two weeks before the opening match that the team management publicly named Parag as Samson’s stand-in deputy for the initial quarter of the tournament. This early exposure to leadership served as a trial run for the full-time role he has now inherited.

Let's win it together: Jaiswal's reaction to Parag's appointment as RR skipper

While the decision sparked a heated debate on social media—with many fans arguing that Yashasvi Jaiswal was the more deserving candidate for the captaincy—the atmosphere within the dressing room remains positive. Regardless of the external criticism or the "digs" taken at Parag online, the players themselves appear to maintain a strong, supportive bond, prioritizing team chemistry over public opinion.

"The first thing (Yashasvi) Jaiswal said was, 'Congrats mere bhai, jitte hain' (Congrats brother, let's win it together)," Riyan Parag revealed.

"That's all I would want from Jaiswal and Dhruv (Jurel). Dhruv is on the calmer side, so he would not express it that much," he added.

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With the appointment of Parag as captain, RR are entering a bold new era defined by a significantly revamped roster. The squad has been bolstered by the high-profile additions of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Ravi Bishnoi. Recognising the weight of these changes, Parag has reached out directly to the Royals' faithful to ask for their continued backing. He urged the fans to maintain their faith in both his leadership and the newly formed squad as they navigate this period of transition. By calling for unity, the young skipper hopes to bridge the gap between the franchise's storied past and its ambitious future under his command.

"My request is going to be, just support us through this. Watch how we are going to compete and will give out 100%. Come game day, come to the first game of the IPL, but you have to understand, it's a new team, it's a transition, a new captain. We just want a little faith, we just want a little Time and we just want a little Love and Support and hopefully the transition that happened before is going to repeat itself again and we end up winning a trophy," Parag concluded.