Riyan Parag named Rajasthan Royals captain for IPL 2026 after Sanju Samson trade

Rajasthan Royals back 24-year-old Riyan Parag to lead the side into a new era following Sanju Samson’s move to Chennai Super Kings and major changes in the team setup.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have officially decided to hand over the captaincy to young all-rounder Riyan Parag for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The development, reported by ESPNcricinfo on Friday, February 12, marks a significant leadership transition for the franchise.

Parag, who has been associated with Rajasthan Royals for several seasons, will replace Sanju Samson as captain. The change follows RR’s major trade decision that saw Samson move to Chennai Super Kings. In return, Rajasthan Royals brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Despite the high-profile trade, the franchise chose to keep leadership within its core by trusting one of its homegrown players.

At just 24 years of age, Parag represents the franchise’s long-term vision. He had previously stepped in as stand-in captain during the last season when Samson missed eight matches due to injury. But, they managed to win just two out of the eight matches. Even so, the management remained confident in his leadership potential.

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As part of the selection process, Parag was reportedly among a shortlisted group of players interviewed by head coach Kumar Sangakkara before the final call was made. The appointment signals a broader transition phase for Rajasthan Royals, as the team will also have a new head coach following Rahul Dravid’s departure at the end of the 2025 season.

Rajasthan Royals endured a difficult campaign last year, finishing ninth on the points table after winning just four of their 14 league matches. The management believes that fresh leadership and structural changes will help revive the team’s competitive edge.