Rajasthan Royals’ young all-rounder Riyan Parag has been made the next captain of the IPL franchise. He left behind players like Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the race for captaincy. Indian fans considered it a stupid decision and criticized the RR management for it.
Indian wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson moved from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings for a huge deal after being kept on the bench on several occasions in the Rajasthan Royals camp last season. Samson took over as the captain of the Royals in the last few seasons and led them to their second final in IPL history.
Sanju Samson was kept out sometimes due to injuries and sometimes due to many uncertainties in his form. Every time he was sidelined, Riyan Parag stepped in as the captain of the Royals XI. He led them during the first and last part of the season.
Riyan Parag was elected captain of Rajasthan Royals in place of Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Before the start of the IPL season, Rajasthan Royals had already traded Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings, and he was replaced by veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja along with Sam Curran.
The Royals needed a new captain and to be honest, there were many options in their team. However, only Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ryan Parag, Indian opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were considered for the captaincy role.
However, they overlooked other potential options like young and dynamic wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and English T20 veteran Sam Curran. Curran has led franchises around the world on previous occasions, including his former IPL franchise Punjab Kings.
However, leaving everyone behind in the captaincy race, Riyan Parag was chosen as the most ideal candidate for the upcoming season of IPL.
Comparison of statistics of Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Riyan Parag in IPL
Assamese cricketer Riyan Parag was selected by Rajasthan Royals as the Under-19 stalwart, making his debut in 2019, and the next year, in 2020, another Under-19 World Cup champion, Yashasvi Jaiswal, was included in the squad by the Royals.
After his debut, Ryan’s performances remained muted for almost 5 seasons, with his average below 20 on four occasions and strike rate hovering around 125. Although Jaiswal had a good start in his second and third seasons, his breakthrough came in the fourth season of IPL in 2023.
Parag had his best season under pressure in 2024 when he scored 573 runs; However, Jaiswal was the top scorer again for the Royals in 2025. In 67 IPL matches, Jasiwal scored 2166 runs and has a strike rate of over 150, while Parag could score 1566 runs in 84 matches with a career strike rate of 141. Jaiswal also scored four centuries for the Royals, while Parag is still in search of his maiden century.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fans cry ‘nepotism’ on Riyan Parag’s appointment, “He makes uncle’s team captain”
According to ESPN Cricinfo, Riyan Parag will be the new captain of Rajasthan Royals.
– A person with such strong decisions, you have a face of Indian cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal, in your team and you are making Riyan Parag the captain. What has Riyan Parag done for RR in 6 years to get the captaincy… pic.twitter.com/A1qeAQmaOE
– Rajeev (@Rajeev1841) 13 February 2026
This additional bid from Rajasthan Royals is proving to be very expensive for Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Hopefully he leaves Rajasthan Royals as soon as possible for his personal development. pic.twitter.com/WuPPEHCCRJ
– Staunch India Supporter (@KKRWeRule) 13 February 2026
This boy Yashasvi Jaiswal is a player of all formats for India, but Rajasthan Royals decided to give captaincy to Riyan Parag, who is nowhere near Team India’s ATM.
Yashasvi Jaiswal deserves IPL captaincy.
Rajasthan Royals management should be ashamed!!pic.twitter.com/yqsbPfdINj
– Staunch India Supporter (@KKRWeRule) 13 February 2026
This cryptic Instagram post of Yashasvi Jaiswal last year was enough indication to the Rajasthan Royals management as to what Yashasvi Jaiswal wanted and now they have been betrayed with Ryan Parag taking over the RR captaincy.
I don’t think Yashasvi Jaiswal will remain in Rajasthan… pic.twitter.com/sB0oSlVbvR
– Staunch India Supporter (@KKRWeRule) 13 February 2026
Pollen Captain? In fact? Jaiswal’s aura and achievements are greater. RR wake up!
– VK Cricket (@BlueArmyPulse) 13 February 2026
Not a good decision. nepotism
He makes the captain of uncle’s team.
– Manish Bhardwaj (@ByManishX) 13 February 2026
Jaiswal is 100% going to MI next year!!…It is better to play under Surya or Hardik than pretender Parag!!
– just_for_fun (@just99920725) 13 February 2026
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