Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji expressed surprise at Rajasthan Royals’ decision to hand the captaincy to Riyan Parag for IPL 2026, noting the presence of more seasoned campaigners such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, and England all-rounder Sam Curran. Speaking to JioStar, Balaji called the move “kind of a gamble” but acknowledged the potential positives under the guidance of head coach Kumar Sangakkara. “Captaining in the IPL is not just about on-field decisions, it’s also about managing the dressing room. Your voice and trust need to be earned. In that sense, it’s a double-edged sword. With Sangakkara’s guidance, though, it could be a valuable learning opportunity for Riyan. If he balances his performance with leadership, it could really help him,” Balaji explained. He also highlighted the importance of consistency for young talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. “We’ve seen the kind of talent Vaibhav has. That hundred against Gujarat Titans was impressive, but the second season is always tougher. Opponents will have studied him, and maintaining performance will be a challenge. Sangakkara’s mentorship will be key for him to build consistency,” he added. Rajasthan Royals’ opening phase of IPL 2026 will see them clash with Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30. Their subsequent fixtures include a March 4 match against Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, an April 7 showdown with five-time champions Mumbai Indians, and an April 10 encounter with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
