Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have named Riyan Parag as their new captain. The development came after the veteran batsman <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-nz-3rd-t20i-will-sanju-samson-deliver-a-big-knock-as-team-india-aim-to-seal-the-series-23613570" rel="nofollow">Sanju Samson</a>'s trade to Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Samson was traded in exchange for two all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
In the previous edition of the cash-rich league, Samson missed out on eight matches due to injuries. In his absence, Parag was named as the stand-in captain and under his leadership, the team managed to secure two matches.
The official social media handle of the Rajasthan-based franchise shared a post on its official social media handle.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Royals fam, it&rsquo;s time to get behind your new Captain! ?? <a href="https://t.co/OjodsT0fu5">pic.twitter.com/OjodsT0fu5</a>
&mdash; Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajasthanroyals/status/2022264630127526193?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">February 13, 2026</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

So far, Parag has played all seven seasons for RR. The 2024 edition was his best in terms of his run tally as he slammed 573, which he made at an average of 52.09, while striking at 149.21. Overall, he has played 84 matches for RR, scoring 1566 runs and taking 7 wickets.
In the previous season, Parag also became the youngest captain to lead RR and was the fifth-youngest in the history of the Indian Premier League. <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/t20-world-cup-2026-australia-bring-in-steve-smith-as-mitchell-marsh-misses-opening-against-ireland--23616233" rel="nofollow">Steve Smith</a> was 24 years old when he led the Royals for the first time.
Samson is the most successful skipper for RR in terms of winning matches. He led RR in 67 matches, winning 33 and losing 32. In 2024, he went past Shane Warne's record of leading the Royals in the most matches. Samson was also the only Royals' captain to have led the team into two playoffs in the IPL.
In <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-vishal-nishad-reveals-his-humble-celebration-plan-for-virat-kohli-wicket-23614563" rel="nofollow">IPL</a> 2022, Sanju steered Rajasthan Royals to their first final since 2008. The team finished second in the table with nine wins out of 14, but fell short in the summit clash against the Gujarat Titans.
The Royals reached the playoffs for the second time under Samson in IPL 2024, finishing third in the points table with 17 points.
(With ANI Inputs)

IPL 2026: In Samson`s absence in previous edition, Riyan Parag was named as the stand-in captain and under his leadership, team managed to secure two matches

IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals appoint Riyan Parag as new captain following Sanju Samson's trade

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In the previous edition of the cash-rich league, Samson missed out on eight matches due to injuries. In his absence, Parag was named as the stand-in captain and under his leadership, the team managed to secure two matches

IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals appoint Riyan Parag as new captain

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