Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag recently opened up about Sanju Samson’s exit from the franchise ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Parag used a comparison involving Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli to underline the void left behind at the Jaipur-based franchise.
Samson represented the Rajasthan Royals across 11 seasons before the franchise traded him to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In exchange for the star wicketkeeper, the Rajasthan Royals acquired England all-rounder Sam Curran alongside veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the marquee tournament.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Riyan Parag opened up about the leadership transition. The newly appointed Rajasthan Royals skipper said that finding a direct replacement for a unique talent like Sanju Samson is an impossible task for the franchise.
“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 has different capabilities,” Parag said.
We Were Losing Matches in the Final Stages - Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag also spoke about the Royals’ campaign in the last edition. Parag said that the Royals lost matches in the crucial final stages because the players failed to deliver in high-pressure moments against strong opposition.
“We were losing matches in the final stages. Had we played with more freedom — or managed to hit a boundary at a crucial moment, or prevented the opposition from doing so — we would have progressed further. This time, we are addressing and rectifying those mistakes,” Parag stated.
Parag emphasized that the Royals management focused on building a balanced squad. The skipper said that he has high expectations from Ravindra Jadeja.
“We have a good combination of spin and pace bowlers. In batting too, there is a proper mix of right- and left-handers. We have high expectations from Ravindra Jadeja; he is a magnificent all-rounder. Regardless of the venue, there’s always a mixed crowd. We tune out the noise and focus on our game. Our goal is to perform well, wherever we play.”
Riyan Parag Set to Lead Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026
Riyan Parag recently returned from injury to play for the India A squad during the T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches. He showcased excellent batting form against Namibia, smashing 69 runs off 39 balls at a strike rate of 176.92, including five boundaries and six sixes.
After leading Rajasthan Royals in eight matches last season during Sanju Samson’s absence, the franchise has now appointed Parag as their full-time skipper as they aim to win their second title.
Parag will begin his leadership journey when the Rajasthan Royals face the Chennai Super Kings on March 30 in Guwahati. They will then play the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on April 4 before hosting the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati.
He made his debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2019 and has played 84 matches, scoring 1,566 runs at an average of 26.10 and a strike rate of 141.84, including seven half-centuries.
Also read: Abhishek Sharma advised to follow Virat Kohli's style by RCB legend ahead of IPL 2026
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