RR pay tribute to Riyan Parag’s journey from Ajinkya Rahane’s protege to captain in emotional IPL 2026 moment

The photo was taken during the toss on Sunday as RR take on KKR in Kolkata. Riyan Parag won the toss and opted to bat.

Published on: Apr 19, 2026, 17:03:54 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Rajasthan Royals paid tribute to their skipper Riyan Parag, after their dominant start in IPL 2026. Parag took over the captaincy role after Sanju Samson was traded to Chennai Super Kings. Parag's captaincy has become a household favourite among cricket fans in India, especially for his bowling changes, which have received plaudits from experts.

Riyan Parag and Ajinkya Rahane during toss.

Taking to X, RR shared a toss photo of Parag with KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Parag played under Rahane, when the latter was RR skipper.

Also Read: From T20 World Cup hero to IPL 2026 struggles: Sanju Samson’s CSK shift exposes a battle between instinct and structure

"From being led by Ajinkya Rahane in his first days as a Royal to now walking out as our full-time captain against his first skipper, Riyan Parag’s journey is a beautiful reminder that growth takes time, belief and heart”, the franchise wrote.

"Nearly seven years on, this feels special.

"Keep growing, Riyan Parag (C)", he added.

The photo was taken during the toss on Sunday as RR take on KKR in Kolkata. Parag won the toss and opted to bat. Speaking after winning the toss, he said, "Win or lose, our strategies remain the same. Our discussions remain the same. We always try and look at the mistakes we've made and try and look at what we've done better and what we can do better."

Parag has found some critics too. Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth recently slammed his captaincy approach, and felt that the RR player was only focused on 'style'

But RR head coach and Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara has defended the decision to appoint Parag as captain.

"There were five candidates, including Sandeep Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, " he revealed.

"We had very strict parameters as to how we are going to choose, what is the process, so we had lots of conversations with all candidates and we realised all are very capable of captaining our side.

"Riyan came across as the top candidate because in all his conversations, he seemed to have matured a lot. He was very reflective in answering all the questions and the questions were very tough, targeted questions. Some of those questions were quite uncomfortable for all of them.

"Riyan, with his maturity, his vision, wanted not just to captain but to lead the team, it made him the leading candidate. We went with an open mind and gave due respect to all the players, gave all an equal chance and picked the best candidate," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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