Riyan Parag Takes the Helm as Rajasthan Royals Captain Ahead of IPL 2026
Riyan Parag's Journey to Captaincy
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], March 19: Riyan Parag, the newly appointed captain of the Rajasthan Royals, expressed his pride and gratitude during the franchise's pre-season press conference held on Thursday.
Reflecting on his time with the team, Parag shared, “I joined the Royals at 17, and being in this leadership role now is incredibly meaningful. My journey has had its share of challenges, often more downs than ups, but I take pride in overcoming them. I am truly grateful to Rajasthan for their support and for recognizing my potential as a cricketer, providing me with opportunities. Leading the team now feels surreal, and I am proud of my journey from 2018 to the present.”
The 24-year-old all-rounder, who has dedicated most of his career to the Royals, emphasized his commitment to the team. “Leading this franchise, with all the connections and emotions I have built over the years, is very special. My primary goal is to win the IPL; individual achievements are secondary. It’s all about what benefits the team and achieving success collectively.”
Parag also addressed the challenges of criticism and the importance of focus. “I’ve faced criticism and trolling, which taught me that only a few opinions matter: mine and those of my close ones. To perform at my best, I need to maintain my peace, which comes from ignoring external distractions.”
Head Coach Kumar Sangakkara discussed the team's strategy and preparations for the upcoming season. “We aimed to enhance our squad by adding batting depth, improving local spin options, and incorporating all-rounders for greater flexibility, particularly in bowling. With our trades and auction acquisitions, we’ve targeted crucial areas, allowing us to explore various combinations, including our overseas players. Our current focus is on uniting our efforts: building confidence, preparing thoroughly, and executing effectively on the field. Ultimately, results will define our success.”
Sangakkara further emphasized that player well-being and enjoyment are central to the Royals' philosophy. “It’s equally vital that players enjoy their journey. We can’t solely focus on results; players will experience highs and lows, which don’t define them. We want our team to relish playing together, taking it one match at a time, trusting that the results will come.”
With Riyan Parag now leading the charge, the Rajasthan Royals, champions of the inaugural IPL season, are setting their sights on clinching their second title this year.
Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2026:
Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, and Kuldeep Sen.