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Potential Captaincy Options For RR If Sanju Samson Leaves Rajasthan Royals

Rajgeeta Yadav

Sanju Samson (L) and Riyan Parag with Yashasvi Jaiswal (R) [Source: IPL and Onecricket/X.com]Sanju Samson (L) and Riyan Parag with Yashasvi Jaiswal (R) [Source: IPL and Onecricket/X.com]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 trade window is open, and there’s a lot of buzz going around. Many players are being moved to different teams. But one big news that has caught everyone's attention is the possible trade of Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson.

Samson, who has been a loyal part of the franchise for the last 12 years, is reportedly in talks to join Chennai Super Kings. While nothing is officially confirmed yet, fans are already wondering: If Sanju Samson leaves, who will lead Rajasthan Royals? 

Let’s take a look at the top 3 candidates who could step in as captain.

1. Riyan Parag

First of all, Riyan Parag seems like the most obvious choice. He has been with RR since 2019 and knows the team inside out. In fact, he has already led the Royals in the 2025 season when Sanju was injured.

Under his captaincy, RR played 8 matches, won 2, and lost 6, which means he had a win rate of 25%. While that may not sound too impressive, Parag has shown leadership potential. He also captains Assam in domestic cricket, which gives him some valuable experience.

Therefore, his long-term association with the team and his growing confidence make him a strong contender.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

On the other hand, Yashasvi Jaiswal could be a surprise pick. He’s been in brilliant form as a batter and has scored over 2100 runs for RR, including 2 centuries. Although he has no captaincy experience at the domestic or IPL level, his energy, focus, and rising status could make him an exciting option.

Moreover, Jaiswal has been with the franchise since the 2020/21 season and is seen as the future of the team. RR might take a bold step by choosing a young leader to build a new era post-Samson.

In short, while he lacks experience, he certainly doesn’t lack potential.

3. Nitish Rana

Finally, a more experienced name in the mix is Nitish Rana. He was one of the latest signings by Rajasthan Royals and brings solid captaincy credentials. Rana led Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023 when Shreyas Iyer was out with injury. He also captains Delhi in domestic cricket.

Importantly, Rana has led in 14 IPL matches, winning 6 of them. That gives him a decent leadership track record. He’s also well-liked in the dressing room and is known for keeping calm under pressure.

So, if RR wants a balanced leader who’s been there and done that, Rana could be their man.