Riyan Parag makes his first statement after being appointed the Rajasthan Royals skipper, speaking about Sanju Samson’s backing in previous seasons, his bond with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel and the unwavering support from Rajasthan Royals fans who have backed them over every phase of transition.
Rajasthan Royals made a move on from Sanju Samson and released their former skipper, who was then traded off to the Chennai Super Kings camp in exchange for veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Making a swift transition, the Royals had to hand over the captaincy to a relatively younger player, whom they plan to retain in the longrun.
Riyan Parag was one such option in the Royals’ deck, who seemingly has a long-term future with the squad. However, the RR management had to choose from options that also comprised other promising youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Sanju Samson was the first to back him for Captaincy, reveals Riyan Parag
In the recently released video, Riyan Parag went on to reveal that it was Sanju Samson who had asked him to be ready to step up for the Royals after he was injured during the England series ahead of the 2025 IPL season.
“When Jos (Buttler) left during the Eliminator or so, Sanju Bhaiya (Samson) asked me to be the second in command, helping him with the bowling and stuff like that. So that’s when I actually started the whole leadership thing,” Parag revealed about the 2024 season.
Sanju Samson then got injured right before the start of the next season, that is, during IPL 2025, during which he had texted the all-rounder even before it was confirmed. Parag recalls Samson saying, “If this happens, you will have to step up.”
Just two weeks from the start of the first game, the team management finally announced Riyan Parag as Sanju Samson’s stand-in deputy in the starting quarter of the season.
Yashasvi Jaiswal extends his support for Riyan Parag
While everyone on social media has taken a dig at Riyan Parag and has backed Yashasvi Jaiswal for being the most deserving choice for captaincy, the players seem to share a wonderful bond among themselves.
“The first thing (Yashasvi) Jaiswal said was, ‘Congrats mere bhai, jitte hain’ (Congrats brother, let’s win it together),” Riyan Parag disclosed.
“That’s all I would want from Jaiswal and Dhruv (Jurel). Dhruv is on the calmer side, so he would not express it that much,” he added.
Built here. Tested here. Trusted here.
Rajasthan, your new captain is here. 💪Inside the decision that opens a new chapter. Watch the final episode of 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐𝘵 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘛𝘰 𝘞𝘪𝘯 🎬 pic.twitter.com/0d0HAkrC0d
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 13, 2026
Parag urges Rajasthan Royals fans for ‘faith and support’
As Parag has been named the new captain of the side and the side has also been revamped this edition with the inclusion of several new names like Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran and Ravi Bishnoi, Parag has wished for support from his fans and has urged them to keep faith in him and the team.
“My request is going to be, just support us through this. Watch how we are going to compete and will give out 100%. Come game day, come to the first game of the IPL, but you have to understand, it’s a new team, it’s a transition, a new captain.
“We just want a little faith, we just want a little Time and we just want a little Love and Support and hopefully the transition that happened before is going to repeat itself again and we end up winning a trophy,” he pled to the Rajasthan Royals fans.
ALSO READ: Yashasvi Jaiswal set to leave Rajasthan Royals after being denied captaincy? “Quite possible”
