Ahead of the start of IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara and captain Riyan Parag discussed their season strategies. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is set to receive significant responsibility within the team.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026: Ahead of IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals are sporting a new look, with RR players sporting a redesigned jersey. Sanju Samson is absent from the team this time, so 24-year-old Riyan Parag will be taking on the captaincy. However, more than Riyan, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be in the spotlight, and coach Kumar Sangakkara is hopeful that Vaibhav could prove to be a trump card for the Rajasthan team this time.

The Rajasthan Royals team has assembled and begun practice at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. This is RR's home ground, but the team will also play some of its home matches in Guwahati.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi will replace Sanju Samson.

Ahead of IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara and captain Riyan Parag discussed the team's strategies in a press conference. Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be a star player for the next season, as captain Riyan Parag made it clear that Suryavanshi could prove to be a trump card for the team. He also clarified that Vaibhav Suryavanshi will fill the opening spot left by Sanju Samson's departure. The pair of Vaibhav and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings for the Rajasthan team.

Riyan Parag made a big statement.

Riyan Parag expressed hope that Vaibhav Suryavanshi would be able to adapt to the role Samson was playing. He also advised the young player to stay away from social media, as he would not be able to handle the pressure of social media right now.

On the other hand, regarding the arrival of Ravindra Jadeja, coach Kumar Sangakkara said that Jadeja's experience will benefit the team. Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Sanju Samson joined the Rajasthan Royals from CSK as part of a trade deal.rs to be very balanced and boasts several match-winners.