Riyan Parag Says RR Will Pick Their IPL 2026 Captain After the Auction

Riyan Parag has confirmed that Rajasthan Royals will decide on the captaincy only after the IPL 2026 auction. The big question before the beginning of the IPL season was, "Now that Sanju Samson has gone to CSK, who is going to captain us?" In light of the sudden move, this has burned the minds of the Rajasthan Royals fans, as many people are asking, "Will it be Riyan Parag this time?"

In a recent interview, Parag finally speaks out, having sporadically captained the team last season about that new responsibility. What he said is not negative, but rather an indication that the decision will be made only after the completion of the IPL 2026 auction.

Captaincy Decision to Be Taken After Auction, Says Riyan Parag

Talking to Sportstar.com, Puget Sound High graduate Riyan Parag revealed that the RR owner has already conveyed a message to the players that the decision, as far as who will be the captain, hinges on the players who are going to be bought in the auction.

“The captaincy thing is going to be left to the auction. If I start thinking about that too much, then it’s going to disturb my headspace. Whatever the management thinks, if they think I’m the right person, then I’m ready; and if they want me to contribute as just a player, then I’m happy with that as well,” he said.

Parag also acknowledged his thoughts on the idea of the captaincy leading the team last season.

“I was captain for about seven or eight games last season. Reviewing in the dressing rooms, I felt like I made right decisions 80 to 85 percent of the time,” he added.

Missing Sanju Samson Will Deeply Felt, Parag Acknowledged

Although young Parag might be cut out as a contender for captainship, he openly admitted that the leaving of Bhaiya Sanju has left an emotional hole in his team.

“I don’t want to think too much about Sanju bhaiya's absence because it genuinely makes me feel bad,” Parag said.

Further, he continued stating intimate comradeship with Samson since the beginning.

"Sanju bhaiya gave me immense support when I joined RR at age 17 or 18. He didn't scold me like a kid. He lived through the same for two or three years of being a young man and had been guiding me as he had been guided. Even for the last two years, he made me his vice-captain in Jos bhai's absence and go to meetings, discussions, and lead them either standing or sitting."

Sanju, picked up by CSK for ₹18 crore last year, was traded to Chennai Super Kings for the same amount. In counterbalance, Ravindra Jadeja, CSK's ₹18-crore player, was given the rest ₹14 crores to balance the trade financially.

So, Who Will Be the RR Captain in IPL 2026?

The simple answer as of now is that no one knows yet.

Royals will pick their captain post the IPL 2026 auction.

Whether it ends up being Riyan Parag or somebody of the older cricketers, fans of RR can look forward to a brand-new era of captaincy post Sanju Samson's emotional exit ...