Riyan Parag has been officially appointed as the new captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. This leadership transition comes in the wake of a major roster shake-up, as long-time skipper Sanju Samson moved to the Chennai Super Kings. At just 24 years old, Parag now takes the helm of the franchise that has been his cricketing home for years. His appointment at the helm came amidst all the speculations around Ravindra Jadeja, who was traded from CSK in the IPL 2026 auction.
Riyan Parag appointed Rajasthan Royals captain
While he is young, Parag is not entirely new to the responsibilities of captaincy. During the previous season, he stepped in to lead the Royals for eight matches while Samson was sidelined with an injury. Although the team's record under his temporary guidance was modest, securing only two wins, Parag’s individual performance flourished under the added pressure. During that stint, he averaged 38.57, highlighted by a career-best 95 against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
ALSO READ: Sikandar Raza speaks his heart out after Zimbabwe land painful T20 World Cup upset to Australia
Riyan Parag's impressive profile
Since making his IPL debut with the team in 2019, Parag has been a mainstay in the squad, appearing in every subsequent season. His 2024 campaign served as a true breakout year, where he solidified his reputation as a premier batter by amassing 573 runs at an impressive average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21.
By the numbers, Parag’s loyalty to the franchise is evident. Over the course of 84 matches for Rajasthan, he has accumulated 1,566 runs and contributed with the ball by taking seven wickets.
The appointmenet of Parag for the top job comes as a significant statement of intent from the Rajasthan Royals management, especially considering the high-profile alternatives available. Parag was preferred over seasoned veterans and established stars like Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sam Curran. Jadeja brought a wealth of experience and a previous stint as captain of the Chennai Super Kings to the table after joining RR in a high-profile trade. Meanwhile, Jaiswal—the franchise's most expensive asset following his 18-crore retention in 2025—had been vocal about his own ambitions to lead the side on several occasions.
ALSO READ: Scored fifty in 2007 win vs Australia, Zimbabwe's star 40-yr-old ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026
The snub is perhaps most surprising in the context of Sam Curran’s extensive leadership resume. The English all-rounder is a veteran captain on the global T20 circuit, having previously steered the Punjab Kings in the IPL. His stock as a leader was at an all-time high just recently in January 2026, when he successfully guided the Desert Vipers to their inaugural International League T20 (ILT20) title. Despite this proven track record of silverware, the Royals opted for the continuity and long-term potential of Parag.
By stepping into this role, Parag becomes the seventh full-time captain in the history of the Rajasthan Royals. He joins an elite fraternity of cricketing icons who have led the Men in Pink, following in the footsteps of Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, and most recently, Sanju Samson.