Riyan Parag made history on Sunday, March 23, 2025, as the youngest captain in Rajasthan Royals IPL history, stepping into the role at just 23 years and 133 days old. The young cricketer broke the previous record held by Steve Smith, who was 24 years and 347 days old when he captained the Royals in 2014. Parag's ascent to captaincy comes during a crucial time as regular captain Sanju Samson is recuperating from a finger injury.
This achievement places Parag among an exclusive group of young leaders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Notably, Virat Kohli led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at just 22 years and 187 days in 2011, while Steve Smith had previously captained Pune Warriors India at 22 years and 344 days in 2012. Other young captains include Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings at 23 years and 112 days in 2010), Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Capitals at 23 years and 142 days in 2018), and Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans at 23 years and 209 days in 2022).
Riyan Parag debuted for the Rajasthan Royals in 2019 and since then has become a vital part of the team's setup. This upcoming captaincy will be his first as he leads the team in the opening three matches of the IPL 2025 season. Parag will captain the Royals against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, the Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26, and the Chennai Super Kings on March 30.
His elevation to captaincy is well-earned, following a stellar performance in the 2024 season where he scored 573 runs in 16 matches at an impressive strike rate of nearly 150 (149.3). This surge in performance demonstrated his readiness for a leadership role in the IPL.
The Rajasthan Royals fans now have significant hopes riding on Parag, who is known for his ability to deliver when it counts. His short career has seen ups and downs, including past criticisms about his performance. However, he has worked tirelessly to improve and earn this opportunity to lead the side.
With his leadership debut looming, Parag will look to set a tone for the Royals this season and make a mark as one of the young talents in cricket. The upcoming matches are not only crucial for the team but also present Parag with a chance to cement his status as a future star of the IPL.
This captaincy is expected to be a pivotal moment for his career as Parag embraces the challenges ahead. Under his guidance, the young Rajasthan Royals team hopes to forge their identity and achieve early success this season. The fans are eagerly waiting to witness how Parag’s leadership will unfold as he embarks on this new journey.
