'Who is Kohli's replacement?': Riyan Parag's bold remark on Sanju Samson-minus RR in IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag recently addressed the roster changes facing the franchise, specifically focusing on the departure of longtime leader and star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Samson has been the quintessential face of the Royals for over a decade, representing the team across 11 seasons. However, in a major shake-up ahead of the IPL 2026 edition, he has been traded to the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings, where he will be seen donning the iconic yellow jersey for the first time.

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He cannot be compared to anyone else: Riyan Parag on Sanju Samson's absence

To fill the massive void left by their former skipper, the inaugural champions secured a high-profile double trade with CSK. In exchange for Samson, Rajasthan Royals have bolstered their squad with the addition of England’s star all-rounder Sam Curran and the legendary Indian veteran Ravindra Jadeja. Parag discussed how the team plans to integrate these world-class talents into their tactical framework as they transition into this new era without their veteran anchor.

"Sanju's game is unique; he cannot be compared to anyone else. It is like asking, 'Who is Virat Kohli's replacement?'--it simply isn't possible. However, every player plays to win, and everyone possesses different capabilities. As you may have observed last season, we were losing matches in the final stages. Had we played with more freedom--or if we had managed to hit a boundary at a crucial moment, or conversely, prevented the opposition from doing so--we would have progressed further in the IPL. This time around, we are specifically addressing and rectifying those past mistakes," Parag told media.

Parag also talked about his personal connection he has built with RR over the years. He stated that while representing one's own country or home state offers a truly unique and irreplaceable experience, his long-standing association with the Rajasthan Royals has fostered a similar sense of belonging.

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We have high expectations from Ravindra Jadeja: Parag

The star all-rounder also said that the environment within the squad has evolved into a second home for him. Despite playing away from his native Assam, he feels a deep-rooted comfort and loyalty to the Rajasthan team, which has become his primary professional base in the IPL.

"We possess an excellent combination of both spin and fast bowlers. Similarly, in our batting lineup, we have ensured a good balance between right-handed and left-handed batsmen. We have high expectations from Ravindra Jadeja; he is a magnificent all-rounder," Parag added.

RR squad for IPL 2026:

Riyan Parag, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, , Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma