Rajasthan Royals (RR) are prepared to announce their new captain for the IPL 2026 season on February 13. The team made this choice after experiencing major roster changes during the trade window. The franchise transferred their most experienced captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The franchise received experienced all rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran as trade compensation from CSK. The team added new players to its roster through this acquisition but it created a leadership void that needs to be addressed. The team management has selected three players as potential candidates for the captaincy position. Following are the three players who can lead the RR in the upcoming season of IPL. 3 Players Who Can Lead RR in IPL 2026 Riyan Parag Riyan Parag looks like the most natural option for the role. He has been part of Rajasthan Royals since 2018 and has grown within the team over the years. The franchise has always seen him as a future leader. Parag already has captaincy experience with RR. He led the team in eight matches during the 2025 season when Sanju Samson was not available. He has IPL experience and he serves as the captain of Assam in domestic cricket. This gives him good knowledge of handling pressure and making tactical decisions. Choosing Parag would mean continuity. He understands the team culture and has built strong bonds with the players. He is 24 years old and he represents the franchise's long-term future. Also Read | IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Deny RCB Permission to Use DY Patil, Protect Territorial Rights Ravindra Jadeja Ravindra Jadeja brings a lot of experience to the table. He is a world class all rounder and has played many high-pressure matches in the IPL and international cricket. There were reports that captaincy was discussed before Jadeja was released by CSK. His earlier IPL captaincy did not create lasting memories but his accumulated experience remains valuable. Jadeja understands the needs of the league, having played under excellent captains. He might be of great use to Rajasthan Royals, given his temperament that can nailed decisions, especially in closely fought games. Jadeja proves to be an ideal selection for RR as they need an experienced leader to take them through a number of seasons. Yashasvi Jaiswal Yashasvi Jaiswal is another name in the race. He is one of the most important batters in the Rajasthan Royals squad. Over the last few seasons, he has become a key player at the top of the order. Last year, Jaiswal even thought about moving from Mumbai to Goa in domestic cricket to get a captaincy role. His leadership ambitions became evident because he wanted to leave Mumbai but later decided to remain there. He is the youngest among the three options and does not have much captaincy experience. However, he is seen as the future face of the franchise. Making him the captain would establish a major long-term choice. Rajasthan Royals have had only seven captains in the last 18 seasons. The franchise has mainly maintained leadership stability throughout its history. The decision will depend on which option they select between youth and experience and leadership continuity. All eyes are now on February 13, when RR will finally reveal who will lead them in IPL 2026.