"Justice For Yashasvi Jaiswal": Fans Grill RR For Choosing Riyan Parag As IPL 2026 Captain

Yashasvi Jaiswal snubbed from RR captaincy [Source: X]

Rajasthan Royals have announced their new captain for the IPL 2026 edition. Riyan Parag, the Assam boy, will be taking the reins after Sanju Samson for the Pink Brigade. Speculation stormed in after Sanju Samson was traded to Chennai Super Kings along with Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

However, putting all the speculation to rest, the IPL franchise announced their new captain on their official social media handle with a special briefing from RR coach Kumar Sangakkara and co-owner Manoj Badale. Later, a special post featuring Riyan Parag as captain was also released across their official social media platforms.

Riyan Parag Trusted With Rajasthan Royals Duties

Riyan Parag, the 24-year-old who has played nine T20Is for India, debuted for the franchise back in 2019 and has played all his seasons for the team ever since. However, it was in 2025 when he was entrusted with captaincy duties.

After Sanju Samson was injured and almost ruled out for half of the tournament in IPL 2025, Riyan Parag took charge to lead the team in eight matches. However, Parag did not see prominent success.

Out of the eight matches he led, RR lost six, winning only two. However, it did not impact Parag’s personal performance. The Assam-born batter racked up 393 runs in IPL 2025 while averaging 32.75. 

Though his captaincy record did not stand out, Rajasthan Royals still trusting him despite having experienced names like Ravindra Jadeja underlines the fact that the Rajasthan Royals are stressing more on building a brand image and poster-boy appeal that is often needed in a tournament like the IPL.

Netizens React As Yashasvi Jaiswal Snubbed 

This brings another glaring question forward, though, the snub of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Netizens too were eager to pick up on this matter, as the India batter has also been loyal to the franchise since the 2020 season. Despite being one of the star performers for the franchise, Jaiswal was snubbed for a chance at captaincy.

While fans were particularly eager about the Yashasvi Jaiswal snub, it is to be noted that he had a fair chance at the captaincy role. Rajasthan Royals’ social media post was slightly teasing too. “Built here. Tested here. Trusted here. Rajasthan, your new captain is here,” RR announced Riyan Parag.

Let's take a look at how fans reacted to Riyan Parag's appointment as RR captain:

Rajasthan Royals

@rajasthanroyals

Built here. Tested here. Trusted here. Rajasthan, your new captain is here. 💪 Inside the decision that opens a new chapter. Watch the final episode of 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐𝘵 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘛𝘰 𝘞𝘪𝘯 🎬

Feb 13, 2026, 4:26 PM

P

@AreRohitBhai

@rajasthanroyals Made him captain on the basis of one good season ?

MANU.

@IMManu_18

@rajasthanroyals Rajasthan Royals finished in IPL 2026 at 10 definitely 😁 Kumar Sangakkara & management going with Riyan ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal But why ??

भ्रष्ट सरकार

@AryanCh77761167

@rajasthanroyals This is a joke. I was cheering when we lifted the cup at the age of 7. Since then, you have only disappointed us. Jaiswal truly deserved that.

Ganesh jangid

@JangirGanesh

@rajasthanroyals You loose @ybj_19 today onwards. That's why you don't win trophy again coz you can't value deserving candidates like jaiswal.

Itzmepokie

@RoddyTrident

@rajasthanroyals All i need to see was just RR playing normal games with least seeing parag on screen ( i like him batting tho) .. congratulations you gave me one more reason to skip watching RR games to just highlights and google….

Anand bharti

@anandbharti02

@rajasthanroyals You have gone with Parag! Should have handed over to Jaiswal! I hope Vaibhav Suryavanshi doesn't play for RR for a long time and finds a new team and be the captain

luv dham

@Luvcool22

@rajasthanroyals I’m supporting this team since 2008 It’s very unfair with the place like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who represent India It’s a nepotism at peak I’m not saying, Parag is not a good player, he is a really good batsmen I always support this team, this is really unfair

Muthuvel tweets

@Muthuvelpandiy

@mufaddal_vohra Breaking: RR management finally admits they rate Parag's uncle's WhatsApp group more than Jaiswal's centuries. Congrats to the real MVP – nepotism. Yashasvi deserves better. Period. 😤 #RajasthanRoyals #IPL2026

Feb 13, 2026, 4:58 PM

Aagneya

@Aagneyax

@rajasthanroyals @ParagRiyan Said about captaincy on all podcasts and media channels like Aaj Tak, Poor Jaiswal 🥲

Feb 13, 2026, 4:41 PM

BALA

@erbmjha

Story of Yashasvi Jaiswal: -Comes from a poor family -Worked Hard -Scored lots of run in first class -Scored tons of runs in IPL with humongous strike rate -No show off Meanwhile Riyan Parag: 😭

May 11, 2023, 10:09 PM

Adwaith

@Ha_mai_adwaith

Jaiswal had desire to captain a side but he lacked some credentials as leader , Mumbai is not giving his domestic captaincy how an IPL team will hand it when a player like Riyan Parag ( good off the field connection btw) is with them.

Venky Mama

@venkymama100

Justice for Jaiswal can only be made when he joins KKR He must have said all the best to Parag but he is sad from inside

Feb 13, 2026, 4:48 PM

Riyan Parag's Road To Being The RR Captain

Reportedly, Kumar Sangakkara, the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals, had long discussions with a few of the players as a kind of interview before deciding on the captain. Riyan Parag is believed to have been called in for this interaction, eventually nailing the captaincy role.

Parag revealed that the night before he played the India vs USA warm-up game, Manoj and Sangakkara called him to inform him that he is the next captain of the Rajasthan Royals.

“A lot of emotions, but then, just straight to the matter. Like what can we do next, what can we change and what can we do to finish better in the next season,” Parag said in the video.

It will be a test by fire for Parag as he is set to officially lead a team that has not won the IPL title since the inaugural edition led by Shane Warne. 

After almost two decades since that win, in IPL 2025, Rajasthan finished at No. 9, just one place above the bottom of the points table, and Parag’s appointment should look to turn the tide for the team now.