Nobody saw this coming. On February 13, Rajasthan Royals announced 24-year-old Riyan Parag as their new IPL 2026 captain. Not Yashasvi Jaiswal. Not the big-money trade Ravindra Jadeja. Just Parag. Fans are shocked. But once you understand why RR pick Riyan Parag as captain instead of Jadeja & Jaiswal, it actually makes perfect sense.
Reason 1: He’s Been There Since Day One
Riyan Parag joined Rajasthan Royals back in 2019. He was just 17 years old. That’s seven straight IPL seasons with the same team. No trades. No breaks. Just loyalty.
Jadeja only came back this year after more than a decade away. Jaiswal is amazing with the bat but hasn’t been seen as a team leader yet. Why RR pick Riyan Parag as captain instead of Jadeja & Jaiswal starts right here — he knows this team inside out.
Reason 2: He’s Already Led Before
Parag isn’t new to captaincy. He’s led Assam in Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also stepped in as RR’s interim captain for 8 matches in 2025 when Sanju Samson got injured. The team trusted his calm mind and smart decisions.
Reason 3: Jaiswal Needs to Focus on Batting
This is the smart part. Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of the most dangerous openers in world cricket right now. Coach Kumar Sangakkara doesn’t want captaincy pressure messing with his aggressive game. RR wants him to just bat freely and score big.
Reason 4: Jadeja Is a Short-Term Option
| Factor | Riyan Parag | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Ravindra Jadeja |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 24 | 24 | 37 |
| Years with RR | 7 | 5 | 1 (return) |
| Captaincy record | Assam + RR interim | None | CSK (unsuccessful) |
| Long-term fit | Yes | Future | Short-term |
Jadeja’s 2022 CSK captaincy didn’t work. Dhoni had to come back mid-season. RR wants Jadeja to play freely as a senior match-winner — not carry the captaincy burden at 37.
The Bottom Line
Why RR pick Riyan Parag as captain instead of Jadeja & Jaiswal comes down to three things: loyalty, experience, and long-term planning. Smart move by Rajasthan Royals? We think yes!
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