Kamal Ghorui
Riyan Parag’s transition into full-time captaincy at Rajasthan Royals is one of the most anticipated subplots ahead of Indian Premier League 2026, especially following the departure of Sanju Samson, arguably the face of the franchise until last season.It is a conversation that will remain in the spotlight throughout the campaign.Samson’s move to Chennai Super Kings in a trade deal involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran had prompted many to believe that his successor was already in place. But in Parag, much like Samson, a long-time Royals player, the management has shown faith in building a new face of the franchise for the long term.While the pressure will be on the youngster to justify that backing, potentially with a title, the 24-year-old remains confident about inspiring the team.“I think I’ve seen it all as a teenager… maybe more downs than ups,” said Parag during a pre-season conference. “But I’m really proud that I got out of it. All I’m trying to do this year is try and win the IPL. Not really thinking about individual things… 600-700 runs or whatever.”He may not admit it outright, but there is little doubt that personal milestones will linger in the background. With Samson gone and youngsters like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, Parag will be a vital cog in the batting line-up.Last season, he scored 393 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.75, following up on a stellar 2024 campaign where he amassed 573 runs at 52.09.Another lesser-discussed aspect is Parag’s bowling. Last season, he sent down 120 deliveries, picking up three wickets, largely operating as a holding option. This time, however, the question is whether the captain will be inclined to use himself more with the ball, or whether his role remains unchanged.Parag suggests it will largely depend on match situations.“I feel we spoke about this last year… it was about finding the right match-up for the wicket and the teams that I can bowl against,” Parag said. “My job was to set it up for our main bowlers… if I ended up getting a wicket, that was a bonus. As captain… assessing conditions, assessing game situations, if I need to pull up with more overs, I will,” he added.What he is certain about, however, is the need to separate roles.“When I’m batting, I’m a batsman. When I’m on the field setting it, I’m a captain,” he explained. “If I mix those, that’s when pressure builds.”Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaign on March 30 against Samson’s Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati, followed by an away fixture against Gujarat Titans, before returning to Guwahati to face Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
