Riyan Parag, Virat Kohli & Sanju Samson (Source: AFP Photos)
When it comes to IPL, Virat Kohli is one such name who is often name-dropped. Thursday was one of those days, and it was Riyan Parag who mentioned his name while commenting on Sanju Samson’s significance at the Rajasthan Royals camp.
Samson and Kohli have already started preparations for IPL 2026, scheduled to get underway on March 28. While Kohli will be looking forward to helping RCB defend the IPL title, Samson will be wearing yellow, playing alongside MS Dhoni in CSK colours during IPL 2026.
Riyan Parag Gives Sanju Samson The Highest Praise
With Samson no longer at the helm, RR will have Riyan Parag as their captain for IPL 2026. Speaking to the media, Parag was asked how he was looking at things now that Samson was not around. His reply was astonishing, with Virat Kohli’s name making it an extra special.
"Sanju's game is unique; he cannot be compared to anyone else. It is like asking, 'Who is Virat Kohli's replacement?'--it simply isn't possible. However, every player plays to win, and everyone possesses different capabilities. As you may have observed last season, we were losing matches in the final stages," Parag said.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Left Stunned By Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Deadly Ball Days Before IPL 2026
"Had we played with more freedom--or if we had managed to hit a boundary at a crucial moment, or conversely, prevented the opposition from doing so--we would have progressed further in the IPL. This time around, we are specifically addressing and rectifying those past mistakes," Parag added.
Sanju Samson IPL Career
India’s biggest hero in the successful T20 World Cup 2026, Samson, has been a veteran in the IPL. He was part of Rajastan Royals since 2013, then joined Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals) in 2016 before going back to Rajasthan Royals in the following year.
Since then, he had been a part of the inaugural IPL edition’s champions before being traded to CSK in a blockbuster move ahead of IPL 2026.
Over the years, Samson has scored 4704 runs across 177 innings, averaging 30.95 and striking at 139.05. His best IPL season came in 2014, when he aggregated 531 runs in 16 matches, that too at a strike rate of 153.47.
In total, Samson has notched up 26 half-centuries and three hundreds, courtesy of smashing 379 fours and 219 sixes.
Riyan Parag To Face Sanju Samson To Begin IPL 2026
Interestingly, Riyan Parag will go up against Sanju Samson to begin their IPL 2026 journey. RR will face CSK in Match 3 of IPL 2026 on March 30. The IPL 2008 finalists will meet in Guwahati, where three of their first four matches will be played, on April 7 versus Mumbai Indians and on April 10 against RCB.
The other RR fixture (so far announced) will be against Gujarat Titans on April 4 in Ahmedabad.
Also Read: Nat Sciver-Brunt Leaves Team Amid England’s T20 World Cup 2026 Prep
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