Ryan PragueThe full-time captaincy change at Rajasthan Royals is one of the most anticipated subplots ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, especially after his departure. Sanju Samsonarguably the face of the franchise until last season.It’s a conversation that will be in the spotlight throughout the campaign.
Samson’s move to Chennai Super Kings in the Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran trade deal led many to believe that his successor was already in place. But in Parag, 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 support, possibly with the title, the 24-year-old is confident of impressing the team.“I think I’ve seen it all as a teenager … maybe more of the ups and downs,” Parag said during a preseason conference call. “But I’m really proud that I got out of it. I’m just trying to try and win this year. IPL. Not really thinking about individual things… 600-700 runs or whatever.He may not admit it outright, but there is no doubt that personal milestones will remain in the background. With Samson gone and youngsters like Vaibhu Suryavanshi and Yeshsavi Jaiswal At the top, Parag will play an important role in the batting line-up.Last season, he scored 393 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.75, followed by an impressive 2024 campaign in which he scored 573 runs at an average of 52.09.Another less discussed aspect is Parag’s bowling. Last season, he dispatched 120 balls, taking three wickets, mostly acting as a holding option. However, the question this time around is whether the captain will be inclined to use himself more with the ball or his role has not changed.Parag suggested that much would depend on match conditions.“I think we talked about that last year … it was about finding the right match-ups for the wicket and the teams I can bowl against,” Parag said. “My job was to set it up for my key bowlers… If I got a wicket, it was a bonus. As a captain… assessing the situation, assessing the game conditions, if I need to bowl more overs, I will,” he added.What he is sure of, however, is the need for separate roles.“When I bat, I am a batsman,” he explained. “If I mix them up, the pressure goes up.”Rajasthan Royals will open their campaign on March 30 against Samson’s Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati, followed by a match against Gujarat Titans, before returning to Guwahati to face Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
