Why Rajasthan Royals Named Riyan Parag Captain? Head Coach Kumar Sangakkara Reveals Reason

Oh my god, guys, did you know Riyan Parag is now the captain of the Rajasthan Royals? He is only 24 years old. But head coach Kumar Sangakkara (the legendary Sri Lankan batsman) has REVEALED why they chose him. Let me tell you everything.

Who is Riyan Parag?

Riyan Parag is from Assam. He joined the Rajasthan Royals in 2019 when he was just 17 years old.

What Did Sangakkara Say About Parag?

Kumar Sangakkara spoke to the media before IPL 2026 started. He explained the decision in DETAIL:

Parag Has MATURITY Beyond His Age.

“He has a very good understanding of the game, both from a batting perspective and from a bowling perspective. He reads the game, understands match-ups, and has the maturity to handle pressure situations.”

Sangakkara said Parag is NOT like a 24-year-old. He thinks like a 30-year-old captain.

🚨“IS RAJASTHAN ROYALS RUNNING A TEAM OR A FAMILY BUSINESS?”🚨

- K Srikkanth questioned Rajasthan Royals decisions, saying certain players are getting too much backing.🤯

He added Riyan Parag hasn’t delivered recently despite being given importance.pic.twitter.com/lT2qUyukSx
— Sam (@Cricsam01) March 24, 2026

He Has Grown WITH Rajasthan Royals.

“He has been with this franchise for a long time. He knows the culture, the players, the fans. He is one of our own.”

Parag joined RR in 2019. He has seen:

2022: RR reached final (lost to GT)
2024: RR in playoffs

He has been part of the JOURNEY.

He Earns RESPECT from Players.

“His teammates respect him. He is not just a captain because of the title – he has earned that respect through his performances and his attitude.”

When you are the captain, players must LISTEN to you. Sangakkara said Parag has that respect ALREADY.

He is READY for Responsibility.

“We saw in 2025, when Sanju was injured, Parag led the team in many matches. He was calm, made good decisions, and the team responded well.”

POS	TEAM	PLAYED	WIN	POINTS
1	RCB	1	1	2
2	MI	1	1	2
3	KKR	1	0	0
4	SRH	1	0	0
5	CSK	0	0	0
6	DC	0	0	0
7	GT	0	0	0
8	LSG	0	0	0
9	PBKS	0	0	0
10	RR	0	0	0

What Did Sangakkara Say About Sanju Samson?

Sanju Samson was the RR captain from 2021 to 2025. He led RR to:

2022: Final
2024: Playoffs

But in 2025, Sanju was traded to Chennai Super Kings. So RR needed a NEW captain.

Sangakkara said about Sanju:

“Sanju has been a fantastic leader for us. We will always be grateful for what he has done. But now it’s time for a new chapter. Riyan is ready to take over.”

Parag’s First Match as Captain

Rajasthan Royals play their first match on March 30 vs Chennai Super Kings at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati.

FUN FACT: Sanju Samson (former RR captain) will be playing AGAINST RR for CSK. And Ravindra Jadeja (traded from CSK to RR) will be playing FOR RR against his old team. So much DRAMA.

What Parag Said About Being Captain?

Riyan Parag also spoke to the media. He said:

“I have been with RR since I was 17. This is my home. To be named captain of this team is a dream come true.”

He also said about Sanju:

“Sanju bhai taught me so much. How to handle pressure, how to talk to players, how to stay calm. I will use everything I learned from him.”

When asked about playing against Sanju in first match, he laughed:

“On field, we are opponents. But off the field, he will always be my brother.”

🚨“IS RAJASTHAN ROYALS RUNNING A TEAM OR A FAMILY BUSINESS?”🚨

- K Srikkanth questioned Rajasthan Royals decisions, saying certain players are getting too much backing.🤯

He added Riyan Parag hasn’t delivered recently despite being given importance.pic.twitter.com/lT2qUyukSx
— Sam (@Cricsam01) March 24, 2026

🚨 MEET THE NEW CAPTAIN OF RAJASTHAN ROYALS 🚨

- Riyan Parag has been named the new captain of Rajasthan Royals 🩷

2026 = Riyan Parag
2021-25 = Sanju Samson
2019-20 = Smith
2018-19 = Ajinkya
2014-15 = Smith
2012-13 = Rahul Dravid
2008-11 = Shane Warne pic.twitter.com/K0UXmxmPB1
— Fan Account Richard Kettlebourogh (@RichKettle07) February 13, 2026

What Experts Are Saying?

Aakash Chopra said: “Riyan Parag is a bold choice. He is young but he has the game sense. I think RR is building for the future.”

Irfan Pathan said: “RR has always trusted young players. They gave captaincy to Sanju at 27, now to Riyan at 24. It shows their faith in youth.”

Harsha Bhogle said: “Parag has matured a lot. He is no longer the ‘angry young man’ we saw in early years. He is calm and composed now.”

Can Parag Lead RR to Title?

Rajasthan Royals won IPL only once – in 2008 under Shane Warne. Since then, they have reached the final once (2022) but never won.

Now with Parag as captain, can they win the SECOND title?

As the tournament progresses, teams will be looking to build momentum and strengthen their chances of lifting the trophy. In fact, if you’re wondering which side has the best shot at going all the way this season, check out our detailed analysis on why Royal Challengers Bengaluru could successfully defend their IPL title. It gives deeper insights into their squad strength, key players, and winning strategy for IPL 2026.

Why Royal Challengers Bengaluru can defend their IPL title?

My Thoughts

You know what I think? Riyan Parag is a RISKY choice but also a SMART one.

He is YOUNG (24), but he has been in the RR system for 7 years. He knows EVERYTHING about the team. He is also a MATCH-WINNER – remember his 84 off 45 vs DC in 2024?

Sangakkara is one of the SMARTEST cricket brains. If he believes in Parag, I believe too.

But the first match vs CSK will be TOUGH. Sanju Samson will want to SHOW RR what they lost. Jadeja will want to SHOW CSK what they lost. And Parag will want to SHOW everyone he is ready.