Why is Riyan Parag not playing IPL 2026 match vs Gujarat Titans? First-time RR captain Yashasvi Jaiswal reveals reason

Yashasvi Jaiswal also spoke about the team changes and his excitement ahead of captaining the side in a crucial encounter.

Updated on: May 9, 2026, 19:28:09 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Rajasthan Royals were without skipper Riyan Parag for their crucial IPL clash against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal stepping in as captain. It marked Jaiswal’s first outing as skipper in the IPL, and he began on a positive note by winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Parag was ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during Rajasthan’s previous match against Delhi Capitals, a game the Royals ended up losing. His absence came as another setback for Rajasthan at an important stage of the tournament, with the team already struggling to build momentum in the second half of the season.

Yashasvi Jaiswal led RR againast Gujarat Titans. (REUTERS)

Leading RR for the first time in the IPL, Jaiswal confirmed that regular skipper Riyan missed the clash against Gujarat Titans due to a hamstring injury suffered in the previous game. Jaiswal also spoke about the team changes and his excitement ahead of captaining the side in a crucial encounter.

"We are going to bowl first. I think the wicket is pretty good and we want to chase it. Riyan pulled his hamstring last game, so I feel he'll be coming back soon. Shimron Hetmyer comes in and Yash Raj Punja comes in. That's the two guys who are coming in. I'm really excited, looking forward to the game," Jaiswal said at the toss.

Also Read - Lucknow Super Giants can ply India with some wonderful fast bowlers, believes former India bowling coach

Meanwhile, Titans skipper Shubman Gill was also looking to bowl first at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Gill also confirmed one change to the playing XI, with Prasidh Krishna returning to the side, while stressing the importance of belief and execution in close matches.

"We would have bowled first as well honestly. We have got one change. Prasidh Krishna comes back in place of Manav Suthar. I think it's important to look back at your strengths as a batting group or as a bowling group. What are the things that has got us so much success as a team. So, there were some areas that we went back and we reflected. Most of the games that we have played have been pretty close. So, it's all about doing that extra effort, putting that belief in, and if something is going well for you, having the belief to be able to execute," Gill said.

Playing XIs of GT vs RR

Gujarat Titans Playing XI: Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj

Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.