Riyan Parag Himself Exposes RR's Vicious Move To Force Sanju Samson's Exit

Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson for RR [Source: AFP]

The appointment of Riyan Parag as the new captain of the Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2026 season has agitated some fans, not just for what it represents on the field, but for what it reveals behind the scenes. 

While leadership changes are a natural part of franchise cricket, be it MS Dhoni to Ruturaj Gaikwad or Virat Kohli to Rajat Patidar. However, this particular Rajasthan Royals and Riyan Parag affair has raised eyebrows due to the circumstances surrounding the exit of long-time captain Sanju Samson.

Was Sanju Samson Forced Out?

The eventual trade of Samson to the Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026 felt like a routine transfer and more like the final step in a long-planned process after what Parag revealed in a recent admission. 

At 30, Sanju Samson was at the peak of his career and without any internal turmoil, which was also reported a few times, a sudden exit of Sanju was not expected by the fans.

Riyan Parag Reveals The Dirty Secret Behind Samson’s RR Exit

Interestingly, Parag’s words on his captaincy stint for the Rajasthan Royals have added a new dimension to the discussion. While he spoke with gratitude and humility, his statement subtly confirmed that this wasn’t a sudden decision, but a long-planned move.

“Being your captain this time, I think the conversation started in late 2024 and 2025. I went through the whole lengthy process that Sanga (Kumar Sangakkara) and Manoj (Badale) and everybody went through, and I made it through the final conclusion that okay, I was going to be captain. 

And yeah, I think it's just a surreal feeling to see my journey in 2018 when I was 17 years old to now when I'm 24 leading this side. I'm extremely grateful,” Parag said in a recent event ahead of IPL 2026.

This admission clearly suggests that discussions around his captaincy began well before Sanju Samson’s exit. The “lengthy process” he refers to aligns with the timeline when Samson was still actively leading the side, reinforcing the idea that the decision had already been made behind closed doors.

Also Read- Rajasthan Royals Accused Of Unfair Treatment; Riyan Parag Under Fire

Why Rajasthan Royals Moved Over Sanju Samson To Riyan Parag?

On paper, the move might appear like a forward-thinking decision. Parag, at just 24, represents the future. His growth over the last two seasons has been significant, especially after a breakthrough 2024 campaign where he scored 573 runs, followed by another strong showing in 2025. 

The franchise management, including head coach Kumar Sangakkara, reportedly saw Riyan Parag as a long-term investment, someone who could lead the team into a new era.

However, what complicates this narrative is the handling of Sanju Samson. At 30, he wasn’t nearing retirement or showing signs of decline. Instead, he remained one of the most consistent performers and the face of the Rajasthan Royals. 

The Guwahati Experiment and Hidden Signals From the Owner

The shift became particularly evident during the Guwahati phase in 2025. Parag, who hails from Assam, was handed captaincy duties for matches played in the region. While this could have been seen as a gesture to connect with local fans, it also revealed a deeper strategy.

Sanju Samson, despite being the official captain at the time, was reduced to the role of an “Impact Player.” For many, that was the clearest indication that the franchise had already made up its mind about the future.

Adding another layer to this situation is RR owner Ranjit Barthakur, whose Assamese roots made Guwahati an important venue for the franchise. 

The alignment between regional identity and leadership choices only strengthened the perception that Riyan Parag’s rise was strategically orchestrated well in advance.

The Ethical Dilemma That Led To Two New Homes

From a purely cricketing standpoint, backing a young and in-form player like Parag makes sense. Franchises often look to build for the future, and grooming leaders early is a proven strategy. 

However, the manner in which this transition unfolded raises questions about transparency in the franchise.

Nevertheless, Sanju Samson has now found a home in the Chennai Super Kings and Ravindra Jadeja in the Rajasthan Royals, for which he will feature as the primary wicket-keeper batter in the Playing XI after MS Dhoni was ruled out of the first two weeks. Riyan Parag, meanwhile, will lead the side against CSK for their inaugural match on March 30.

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