RR captaincy decision after IPL 2026 auction, confirms Riyan Parag

As has been discussed a few times earlier, who will lead RR in IPL 2026; that question has been thrown at the franchise again, after Sanju Samson was traded to CSK, before the IPL retentions. There is a realistic chance that the team might opt for Riyan Parag, who even led in a few matches this year. But in an interaction with Sportstar, he clarified, that nothing is final as yet.

RR captain for IPL 2026 undecided

“Manoj [Badale] gentleman said the decision [on captaincy] will be taken after the auction. If I think about it now, I’ll ruin my mental space. If the team management believes that I am the right candidate for the captaincy, I am ready to raise my hand. If they feel that as a player I can bring more, I’m ready for that too.

“I captained in seven to eight matches in the IPL last season. In the dressing room, when we would analyse decisions, I have done things right 80 to 85 per cent,” he said. But then Riyan Parag did admit that the departure of Sanju Samson will leave a void in RR.

“I don’t want to think about his [Samson’s] absence, because then I will feel bad. I was very close to Sanju Bhaiya when I joined the team. He never let me feel like I was a 17 or 18 year old boy from Assam. He also came from that background, between 16 and 18 years old, and helped me as he would have been helped at that time. For the last two years, he entrusted me with the role of vice-captain in the absence of Jos Bhai. He would ask me to talk to the bowlers, attend team meetings and take the lead.

Meanwhile, CSK agreed to the Sanju Samson trade, for the same price at which he was retained last year — 18 cr. But then Ravindra Jadeja, who was retained by CSK for 18 cr, would be paid 14 cr as part of the deal.