IPL 2026: RR ditch Yashasvi Jaiswal & Ravindra Jadeja; name THIS all-rounder as their new captain

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have started their preparations for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. And it all starts with them naming their new captain ahead of the new season of the cash-rich league.

RR came in need of a new captain after Sanju Samson decided to part ways with the franchise. The keeper-batter was traded to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and in return, RR got two players in Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

Since then, there have been a lot of talks about the RR’s new captain. Many reports claimed that Ravindra Jadeja agreed to join RR as they offered him captaincy, while some suggested that the onus would be given to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is a regular member of the side.

RR appoint Riyan Parag as their new captain ahead of IPL 2026

Amid all the fuss, RR have appointed their new captain ahead of the IPL 2026. As per the reports in ESPNCricinfo, the franchise has handed the leadership role to Riyan Parag ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

This comes as a shock as many expected Ravindra Jadeja to take the onus of the team. This comes on the back of Parag’s fandom in RR and also the fact that he captained the side last year in the absence of Sanju Samson when he sat out due to injury.

Parag captained RR in 8 games in IPL 2026 and didn’t have a great time. Out of the games that he captained, RR won just two games. But with the bat, he was great as he scored runs consistently in the entire season.

Parag had an average of 38.57 and delivered a career-high 95 against a strong opponent, KKR. In that game, he hit six sixes. The RR will make an official statement this evening, and it remains to be seen how Parag fares in his captaincy stint.