Jaipur: Ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, Riyan Parag has spoken candidly about the absence of former captain Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals setup, calling him “irreplaceable” and highlighting the challenge of filling the void he leaves behind.
Speaking at a pre-season press conference in Jaipur, Parag compared Samson’s importance to Indian cricket stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, stating that players of such calibre cannot truly be replaced.
Samson’s exit leaves a major void
Sanju Samson, who captained Rajasthan Royals for five years, was traded to Chennai Super Kings ahead of the previous auction. In exchange, Rajasthan secured the services of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
Reflecting on Samson’s departure, Parag said the team never viewed the situation as one of direct replacement.
“We never think about replacing the kind of player he is,” Parag said, adding that the team may instead look for players with similar skill sets or adjust roles within the batting order.
Comparing Samson to cricket greats
Parag emphasised that Samson’s impact on the team goes beyond statistics. Drawing parallels with Kohli and Sharma, he noted that certain players bring intangible value that cannot be replicated easily.
“It’s like there is no replacement for Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma. In the same way, there is no replacement for Sanju bhaiya,” he remarked.
Samson’s legacy with Rajasthan Royals includes being the franchise’s leading run-scorer and one of its most successful captains. He guided the team to the IPL 2022 final and a playoff appearance in 2024.
Focus shifts to team strategy
With a new leadership structure in place, Parag indicated that the team’s focus this season will be on improving decision-making and closing out matches more effectively.
Rajasthan Royals endured a frustrating campaign last season, losing several matches in the final overs despite being in winning positions.
“This year, the focus is to plan better and finish games,” Parag said, acknowledging that at least five to six matches slipped away in the closing moments.
Learning from last season’s setbacks
Parag highlighted that small decisions often determine the outcome in T20 cricket. He stressed the importance of better planning and execution in critical moments.
“In every T20 game, there are three or four decisions that change the course of the match. If we make those decisions better, the results will improve,” he explained.
The team management has reportedly worked on refining strategies to handle pressure situations, particularly in the final overs.
A reshaped squad with renewed hopes
The inclusion of experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran is expected to add balance to the squad, both in terms of all-round capabilities and match experience.
As Rajasthan Royals prepare for IPL 2026, the team will look to overcome last season’s near misses and re-establish itself as a strong contender.
Conclusion
Riyan Parag’s remarks underline the significant role Sanju Samson played in shaping Rajasthan Royals’ identity. While his absence will be felt, the team appears focused on adapting rather than replacing.
With renewed strategies and a reshaped squad, Rajasthan Royals will aim to turn close contests into victories and make a deeper run in IPL 2026.