Riyan Parag Set To Be Named Rajasthan Royals Captain (Update)

February 13, 2026

Riyan Parag set to be named Rajasthan Royals captain for IPL 2026. The 24-year-old all-rounder will take over as the new Rajasthan Royals captain, replacing the previous leadership. This marks a major change for the franchise as they put their trust in young talent.

Riyan Parag has been with the Rajasthan Royals for several seasons and has shown strong performance as a player. The announcement is expected soon. This captaincy appointment is important for both the team’s future in IPL 2026 and for developing young leaders in Indian cricket. Fans are excited to see how Parag leads the team.

Riyan Parag Set to Replace Sanju Samson as Rajasthan Royals Captain

Riyan Parag will replace Sanju Samson as the new Rajasthan Royals captain for IPL 2026. Parag has leadership experience from last season, when he captained the team in eight matches during Samson’s injury. Though the team won only two games, Parag performed well individually, scoring a career-best 95 against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Riyan Parag Set to Replace Sanju Samson as Rajasthan Royals Captain
Source: Hindustan Times

Head coach Kumar Sangakkara interviewed Parag before finalizing his appointment. This leadership change follows the Rajasthan Royals’ poor 2025 season, where they finished second-last with four wins in 14 matches.

Parag has been with the franchise since 2019. His best season came in 2024 when he scored 573 runs at an average of 52.09. He has scored 1,566 runs in 84 games for the Royals.

What Riyan Parag’s Captaincy Means for Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026

Riyan Parag’s appointment as Rajasthan Royals captain will bring fresh changes to team strategy. The franchise will build their squad around Parag’s aggressive batting and all-round skills. His leadership focuses on maximizing young talent.

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Source: NDTV Sports

The decision also impacts Yashasvi Jaiswal, who may take a vice-captaincy role to maintain team harmony. Cricket experts compare Parag to other successful young IPL captains like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, proving age doesn’t limit effective leadership.

Riyan Parag Set to Lead Rajasthan Royals

Riyan Parag’s appointment as Rajasthan Royals captain marks a pivotal moment for the franchise and Indian cricket. At just 24, Parag represents the future of leadership in the IPL, bringing youthful energy and proven all-round abilities to the role.

His captaincy offers Rajasthan Royals a chance to rebuild and compete strongly in IPL 2026. Beyond the franchise, this decision strengthens India’s leadership pipeline, nurturing young talent who can potentially lead at the international level. The cricketing world eagerly awaits how Parag shapes the team’s destiny.

Kyler’s a cricket content creator with a passion for stats, speed, and storytelling. At USACricketz.com, he breaks down the rise of cricket in America, covering everything from MLC showdowns to the USA team’s global matchups. With a fresh perspective, Kyler keeps fans updated, entertained, and in the loop on all things cricket, both local and international.

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