New Delhi: Rajasthan Royals The captain Ryan Prague has addressed the biggest talking point ahead of IPL 2026 – the absence of the long-time captain and star wicket-keeper batsman. Sanju Samson – with a striking comparison that illustrates the scale of the void left behind.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Samson, the face of the franchise for more than a decade, represented the Royals for 11 seasons before being traded. Chennai Super KingsWhere they will now appear in yellow. In return, Rajasthan brought the England all-rounder Sam Curran And experienced Ravindra JadejaA change in team composition is indicated.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Parag made it clear that replacing Samson is not a straightforward task. “Sanju’s game is unique, it cannot be compared to anyone else. It is like asking, ‘Who is it?’ Virat KohliAlternative to? – It’s just not possible,” he said. “However, every player plays to win, and everyone has different abilities.”Parag also highlighted the team’s shortcomings last season, especially in crunch moments. “We were losing matches in the latter stages. If we had played with more freedom — or managed to hit a boundary at a crucial moment, or stopped the opposition from doing so — we would have progressed further. This time, we are clearing and correcting those mistakes,” he added.Balance, the new-look Royals Bank on all-round powerThe RR skipper emphasized that the team has worked on building a balanced squad. “We have a good mix of spin and fast bowlers. We have a good mix of right-handers and left-handers in the batting as well. We have high expectations from Ravindra Jadeja; he is a brilliant all-rounder,” Parag said.On the question of venues and home advantage, Parag ruled out any additional pressure. “Regardless of the venue, there’s always a mixed crowd. We tune out the noise and focus on our game. We aim to do well wherever we play.”The head coach Kumar Sangakkara Expressed confidence in the squad’s depth and future prospects, especially young sensation Vibhu Suryavanshi. Sangakkara said he is very young but showing great form. He is an important part of the team and we have a specific strategy for him.
