At a pre-season press conference on Thursday, Riyan Parag, the newly appointed captain of the Rajasthan Royals, shared his feelings of pride and gratitude. Reflecting on his time with the franchise, he stated, "I joined the team at 17, and being in this leadership role now is incredibly meaningful. My journey has had its share of challenges, often more downs than ups, but I take pride in overcoming them. I am thankful to Rajasthan for their support and for recognizing my potential as a cricketer. Leading the team now feels surreal, and I am proud of my journey from 2018 to the present."

Team-First Mentality

The 24-year-old all-rounder emphasized his commitment to the team, saying, "Leading this franchise, with all the connections and emotions I've built over the years, is truly special. My primary goal is to win the IPL, not to focus on personal achievements. It's about what benefits the team and achieving success collectively."

Dealing with Criticism

Parag also addressed the topic of criticism and maintaining focus. He remarked, "I've faced criticism and trolling, which taught me that only a few opinions matter: mine and those of my close ones. To perform at my best, I need to maintain peace, which comes from ignoring external distractions."

Coach Sangakkara's Insights

Head Coach Kumar Sangakkara discussed the team's strategy and preparations for the upcoming season. He stated, "Our aim is to enhance our squad by adding batting depth, improving local spin options, and incorporating all-rounders for greater flexibility, particularly in bowling. The trades and auction acquisitions have addressed crucial areas, allowing us to explore various combinations, including our overseas players. Our focus now is on uniting the team, building confidence, preparing thoroughly, and executing effectively on the field. Ultimately, results will define our success."

Player Well-Being

Sangakkara highlighted the importance of player well-being and enjoyment in the game. He noted, "While results are important, it's equally vital for players to enjoy the journey. They will experience ups and downs, but that does not define them. We want our team to enjoy playing together, take it one match at a time, and trust that success will follow."

Rajasthan Royals Squad for IPL 2026

The Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2026 includes: Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, and Kuldeep Sen.