Rajasthan Royals has appointed Riyan Parag as their new full-time captain for ipl 2026 Season. Parag was recently named the 7th captain in the franchise’s history, ushering in a youth-centric era following a massive trade deal that saw the longtime leader sanju samson move towards Chennai Super Kings.
RR has been in the news with the announcement of Parag as its leader for the 2026 campaign. The Royals, known for their ‘Moneyball’ strategy of backing lower-rated talents, are looking for the 24-year-old all-rounder to revive their bottom-of-the-table side in 2025. Rahul DravidDepartures and acquisitions of superstars such as Ravindra Jadeja And Sam CurranParag’s appointment represents a bold change in the identity of the franchise.
List of all captains of Rajasthan Royals so far
(1) Shane Warne (2008-2011)
The late, great Australian legend shane warne Was the architect of the DNA of the Royals. Appointed as captain-coach for the inaugural 2008 season, Warne led the ‘unknown’ group to a fairytale title win against all odds. In four seasons, he captained the team 56 matchesto secure 31 wins. His ability to instill confidence in young domestic players established a legacy that remains the heartbeat of the franchise even today.
(2) Rahul Dravid (2012-2013)
Rahul Dravid Took over in 2012 and brought a sense of calmness and tactical perfection to the team. Statistically, he remains one of the most efficient RR captains 57.50% win rate. Under his leadership, the Royals reached the playoffs in 2013 and finished as runners-up in the Champions League T20. Dravid led the team 40 matcheswin 23Before transitioning into a mentorship role shaping the team’s future stars.
(3) Shane Watson (2014-2015)
Hard blow after Dravid’s retirement shane watson Was promoted to captaincy. A long-term loyalist, Watson led the team 21 matchesto secure 7 win. While his captaincy tenure was shorter than that of his peers, he successfully guided the Royals to the playoffs in 2015, ensuring that the team remained competitive before the franchise faced a two-year hiatus from the league.
(4) Ajinkya Rahane (2018-2019)
On the return of the Royals in 2018, Ajinkya Rahane Was chosen to lead the withdrawal. His tenure was defined by a quiet, serious resilience, as he led the team to the playoffs in his first year. Rahane captained RR 24 matcheswin 9. His “true Royal” spirit was highly praised by teammates, although a decline in team form in mid-2019 ultimately led to a leadership change in favor of a more aggressive tactical approach.
(5) Steve Smith (2014-2020)
steve smith Served as captain in several stints, initially stepping in as an interim leader for Watson and Rahane before becoming full-time captain in 2020. 27 matchessmith safe 15 winsmaintain a high winning percentage 55.55%. While he was highly regarded for his field placement and strategic mind, the team’s last-place finish in 2020 prompted the franchise to look towards a young, long-term Indian leader.
(6) Sanju Samson (2021-2025)
sanju samson He is the most successful captain in RR history in terms of total wins. Leading the team for five seasons, Samson created a record 67 matchesTo collect 33 wins And in 2025, he overtook Shane Warne’s long-standing record. His biggest achievement was taking the Royals to the final in 2022. After 11 seasons and an emotional tenure, Samson’s trade to CSK in 2026 marked the end of the most prolific leadership era in Jaipur’s history.
(7) Riyan Parag (Stand-in/Interim 2025)
During the 2025 season, Riyan Parag He got his first taste of leadership when he replaced the injured Sanju Samson 8 matches. While the team kept struggling during this period and was able to achieve victory 2 sportsParag’s individual performance soared as he averaged 38.57 with the bat. His maturity under pressure and deep understanding of the team culture during this difficult interim tenure served as his “audition” for the permanent role.
(8) Riyan Parag (Full-time 2026-present)
Officially appointed on February 13, 2026, Riyan Parag Became the 8th captain of Rajasthan Royals. At 24, he is one of the youngest full-time captains in the league. With 1,566 runs for the franchise and a breakout 573-run season in 2024, Parag is now tasked with integrating new stalwarts like Ravindra Jadeja into the youth-heavy system. The Royals management has expressed full confidence in him to bring a second IPL trophy back to the Pink City.
Also read: IPL 2026 auction: Complete squads of all 10 teams after bidding
