Former India bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji has questioned the naming choice of Rajasthan Royals (RR). Riyan Parag as their full-time captain ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This comes after Sanju Samson was traded to Chennai Super Kings, with Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja joining the 2008 champions.
Parag had led RR on an interim basis in 2025 while Samson was injured. The 24-year-old captained the side eight times last season, where the Jaipur side won only twice and ultimately finished ninth in the standings. Balaji It is natural to question RR's decision to name Parag as their new captain and fill the spot left by Samson, when they already have some natural leaders.
The returning Jadeja has previously captained CSK, while Curran has been one of the finest leaders in franchise cricket, leading the Desert Vipers to their maiden ILT20 title earlier this year, while also impressing for the English team during the T20 World Cup, which finished as semi-finalists in the twenty-team tournament.
“I am a bit surprised by the call, especially when you have players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, and of course overseas captaincy material like that. Sam Curran. So, it's a kind of gamble. Captaining in the IPL is not only about your decision-making ability on the field, but it is also about how you manage the dressing room. Your voice needs to be earned, and trust needs to be earned. From that perspective, I feel like it is a double-edged sword,” Balaji was quoted as saying on JioStar.
However, Balaji believes that the 2026 IPL is a great opportunity for Parag to impose his authority on the team and repeat what Rohit Sharma did at Mumbai Indians in 2013.
“There will definitely be a lot of help from Kumar Sangakkara, and you need that guidance. We have seen that.” Rohit Sharma By doing this as a young captain with Mumbai Indians, the players will quickly get used to leadership. I am sure this is an opportunity for Riyan Parag. If he can manage his performance and ground it with his leadership, it will help him,” he said.
RR They will begin their 2026 IPL campaign with a home game against the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side at the ACA Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, March 30. The team will play its first three matches in Assam, which is also Parag's home state in domestic cricket.
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