It has been a tough offseason for Rajasthan Royals with reports of captain Sanju Samson requesting for a trade. If the wicketkeeper-batter leaves, it could pave way for two young Indian stars to take the team forward. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag would be in line for the captaincy role.
Sanju Samson has been RR's longest-serving captain, highest run-scorer and the most successful leader. According to a Cricbuzz report on Thursday, the 30-year-old's relationship with the franchise has deteriorated beyond repair after 11 seasons.
The franchise, however, have so far resisted all trade offers, with owner Manoj Badale and head coach Rahul Dravid holding the power to make the decision.
Samson's contract with the Royals is till 2027, which gives the team an upper hand, but the player’s intent to move on, especially with interest from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has created a tense standoff.
Since his IPL debut in 2013, Samson has played 177 matches, smashed 4704 runs with three centuries and 26 fifties. As captain, he led RR in 67 matches, winning 33, and famously guided them to the IPL 2022 final. He was retained for Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Him leaving would mark the end of an era for the franchise.
The promise of Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag led RR in eight matches in the 2025 season following Samson's rib injury. The Assam-based circketer has been with RR since 2018 and has matured with the team over the years.
However, his leadership stint was not the best, winning only two out of eight matches. He oversaw three consecutive run-chase collapses, which went to the last over.
Parag reportedly has a good relation with the team management and has been loyal to the franchise. However, questions remain over whether his tactical acumen and temperament are enough for the demands of full-time captaincy in a high-pressure IPL environment.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has become an integral part of India's batting lineup, especially in the Test format. His rise has fuelled leadership ambitions. The opener even considered domestic cricket switch to Goa led by the desire to captain a side. This move was, however, shelved. With his international experience, Jaiswal becomes a strong contender for the leadership role.
The captaincy saga will be a test of the franchise’s ability to retain its core Indian talent while maintaining dressing-room harmony.
Sanju Samson has been RR's longest-serving captain, highest run-scorer and the most successful leader. According to a Cricbuzz report on Thursday, the 30-year-old's relationship with the franchise has deteriorated beyond repair after 11 seasons.
The franchise, however, have so far resisted all trade offers, with owner Manoj Badale and head coach Rahul Dravid holding the power to make the decision.
Samson's contract with the Royals is till 2027, which gives the team an upper hand, but the player’s intent to move on, especially with interest from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has created a tense standoff.
Since his IPL debut in 2013, Samson has played 177 matches, smashed 4704 runs with three centuries and 26 fifties. As captain, he led RR in 67 matches, winning 33, and famously guided them to the IPL 2022 final. He was retained for Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Him leaving would mark the end of an era for the franchise.
The promise of Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag led RR in eight matches in the 2025 season following Samson's rib injury. The Assam-based circketer has been with RR since 2018 and has matured with the team over the years. However, his leadership stint was not the best, winning only two out of eight matches. He oversaw three consecutive run-chase collapses, which went to the last over.
Parag reportedly has a good relation with the team management and has been loyal to the franchise. However, questions remain over whether his tactical acumen and temperament are enough for the demands of full-time captaincy in a high-pressure IPL environment.
The ambitions of Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal has become an integral part of India's batting lineup, especially in the Test format. His rise has fuelled leadership ambitions. The opener even considered domestic cricket switch to Goa led by the desire to captain a side. This move was, however, shelved. With his international experience, Jaiswal becomes a strong contender for the leadership role. The captaincy saga will be a test of the franchise’s ability to retain its core Indian talent while maintaining dressing-room harmony.
