Riyan Parag hopes to replace Sanju Samson as Rajasthan Royals captain: ‘The decision on captaincy will be taken after…’


With Sanju Samson having departed for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Riyan Parag will be hoping to become the Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) new full-time skipper for IPL 2026. Last season, Parag captained RR in eight matches when Samson was unavailable due to injury issues.

Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya during toss last season.(REUTERS)

The 24-year-old has been Assam’s captain in domestic cricket, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. Speaking to Sportstar, he said, “I captained in seven to eight matches in the IPL last season. In the dressing room, when we would analyse decisions, I have done things right 80 to 85 per cent.”

“Manoj (Badale) sir has said the decision (on captaincy) will be taken after the auction. If I think about that now, I will ruin my mental space. If the team management feels I am the right fit for captaincy, I am ready to put my hand up. If they feel that, as a player, I can contribute more, I am ready for that also.

“Everyone has the misconception that captaincy is easy. Yes, there is an element of fame in captaincy, but it reduces the element of cricket to 20 per cent. You have to attend all the meetings, attend sponsor shoots, and answer the media. I need to develop these things as a person,” he added.

For Samson, RR also received all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Last season, Parag finished as the second-highest run-scorer for RR, with 393 runs at a strike rate of 166.52 and a total of 27 sixes. He also scored a 45-ball 95 against KKR and picked up three top-order wickets that season.

Speaking on CSK move, Samson recently said, “I am always in my dark colours, but yellow, definitely I think it’s a great feeling.”

“To wear that jersey, I think, I never thought about how I would feel after wearing CSK…it felt positive and I felt very happy. It felt different, like a different energy wearing that jersey. I felt like a champion. I felt like Okay, wow.”


Related Posts

Aaron George provides the calm to steer India past Afghanistan’s mammoth total in U19 World Cup semi-final

India U19 punched their ticket to the U-19 World Cup final with a statement chase, hunting down Afghanistan’s 310 for 4 with 53 balls to spare and seven wickets in…

IND vs SA Live Score: India face South Africa in T20 World Cup warm-up

Updated on: Feb 04, 2026 4:55:50 PM IST IND vs SA Live Score: India’s Axar Patel (R) celebrates with captain Suryakumar Yadav after taking a wicket. IND vs SA Live…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Missed

Fortis Delhi gastroenterologist debunks myth that instant coffee causes cancer, shares how many cups to drink daily

  • By admin
  • February 5, 2026
  • 0 views
Fortis Delhi gastroenterologist debunks myth that instant coffee causes cancer, shares how many cups to drink daily

Winter Olympics 2026: Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds get Team GB off to winning start

  • By admin
  • February 5, 2026
  • 0 views
Winter Olympics 2026: Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds get Team GB off to winning start

What do you get when you put a mummy through a CT scan? | World News

  • By admin
  • February 5, 2026
  • 0 views
What do you get when you put a mummy through a CT scan? | World News

Malti was purple after premature birth, underwent 6 blood transfusions: Nick Jonas recalls doing 12-hour hospital shifts

  • By admin
  • February 5, 2026
  • 0 views
Malti was purple after premature birth, underwent 6 blood transfusions: Nick Jonas recalls doing 12-hour hospital shifts

‘Palash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana were madly in love for 6 years,’ says actor who was present during cancelled wedding | Bollywood News

  • By admin
  • February 5, 2026
  • 0 views
‘Palash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana were madly in love for 6 years,’ says actor who was present during cancelled wedding | Bollywood News

Can India find its ‘edge’ in edge AI? Experts weigh strategy to compete in global AI race | Technology News

  • By admin
  • February 5, 2026
  • 0 views
Can India find its ‘edge’ in edge AI? Experts weigh strategy to compete in global AI race | Technology News