Rajasthan Royals have appointed Riyan Parag as their new full-time captain for the IPL 2026 season. Parag has been recently named 7th captain in the franchise’s history, ushering in a youth-focused era following a massive trade deal that saw longtime leader Sanju Samson move to Chennai Super Kings.
RR have dominated the headlines with the announcement of Parag as their leader for the 2026 campaign. Known for their ‘Moneyball’ strategy of backing underrated talent, the Royals are looking to the 24-year-old all-rounder to revitalize a squad that finished near the bottom of the table in 2025. With a coaching shake-up following Rahul Dravid’s departure and the acquisition of superstars like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, the appointment of Parag represents a bold shift in the franchise’s identity.
List of all Rajasthan Royals captains so far
(1) Shane Warne (2008-2011)
The late, great Australian legend Shane Warne was the architect of the Royals’ DNA. Appointed as captain-coach for the inaugural 2008 season, Warne led a group of ‘unknowns’ to a fairytale title victory against all odds. Across four seasons, he captained the side in 56 matches, securing 31 wins. His ability to instill belief in young domestic players established a legacy that remains the heartbeat of the franchise to this day.
(2) Rahul Dravid (2012-2013)
Rahul Dravid took over the mantle in 2012 and brought a sense of calm and tactical perfection to the squad. Statistically, he remains one of the most efficient RR captains with a 57.50% win rate. Under his leadership, the Royals reached the playoffs in 2013 and famously finished as runners-up in the Champions League T20. Dravid led the team in 40 matches, winning 23, before transitioning into a mentorship role that shaped the team’s future stars.
(3) Shane Watson (2014-2015)
Following Dravid’s retirement, the hard-hitting Shane Watson was elevated to the captaincy. A long-term loyalist, Watson led the team in 21 matches, securing 7 victories. While his captaincy tenure was shorter than his peers, he successfully guided the Royals to the playoffs in 2015, ensuring the team remained competitive before the franchise faced a two-year hiatus from the league.
(4) Ajinkya Rahane (2018-2019)
Upon the Royals’ return in 2018, Ajinkya Rahane was chosen to lead the comeback. His tenure was defined by a quiet, gritty resilience, as he led the team into the playoffs in their first year back. Rahane captained RR in 24 matches, winning 9. His “true Royal” spirit was highly praised by teammates, though a dip in team form mid-2019 eventually led to a leadership change in favor of a more aggressive tactical approach.
(5) Steve Smith (2014-2020)
Steve Smith served as captain across multiple phases, initially stepping in as an interim leader for Watson and Rahane before becoming the full-time skipper in 2020. Across 27 matches, Smith secured 15 wins, maintaining a high win percentage of 55.55%. While he was highly regarded for his field placements and strategic mind, the team’s last-place finish in 2020 prompted the franchise to look toward a younger, long-term Indian leader.
(6) Sanju Samson (2021-2025)
Sanju Samson is the most successful captain in RR history in terms of total victories. Leading the side for five seasons, Samson captained a record 67 matches, amassing 33 wins and surpassing Shane Warne’s long-standing record in 2025. His greatest achievement was leading the Royals to the final in 2022. After 11 seasons and an emotional tenure, Samson’s 2026 trade to CSK marked the end of the most prolific leadership era in Jaipur’s history.
(7) Riyan Parag (Stand-in/Interim 2025)
During the 2025 season, Riyan Parag got his first taste of leadership when he filled in for an injured Sanju Samson for 8 matches. While the team struggled during this period, winning only 2 games, Parag’s individual performance soared as he averaged 38.57 with the bat. His maturity under pressure and deep understanding of the team’s culture during this difficult interim stint served as his “audition” for the permanent role.
(8) Riyan Parag (2026-Present)
Officially appointed on February 13, 2026, Riyan Parag becomes the 8th captain of the Rajasthan Royals. At 24, he is one of the youngest full-time captains in the league. With 1,566 runs for the franchise and a breakout 573-run season in 2024 already under his belt, Parag is now tasked with integrating new veterans like Ravindra Jadeja into a youth-heavy system. The Royals management has placed total faith in him to finally bring a second IPL trophy back to the Pink City.
