Rajasthan Royals are building a new team in the Indian Premier League 2026, and another major news is that Ravindra Jadeja could be announced as their new captain. As per a report in The Times of India, the all-rounder will be officially announced as the skipper in January after the December auction. This is a big move by RR, who traded Jadeja from Chennai Super Kings in a high-profile swap involving Sanju Samson. The franchise is now building around the 35-year-old as they chase their second IPL title after their historic win in 2008. RR Back Jadeja for Leadership Role The trade saw a pay cut for Jadeja, one of the most trusted players at CSK. He joined RR for INR 14 crore, four crore less than what he earned at CSK, but this reduced price may have opened the doors for captaincy. According to reports, Jadeja is expected to pip Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag in the leadership race. A source close to RR said: "Jadeja will be given the reins. The announcement will be made in Jan." This will be Jadeja's second stint as an IPL captain. In 2022, he briefly captained CSK but was not effective as both his bat and the team's performance suffered; MS Dhoni, then, returned to captain the side for the remainder of the season. Also Read | RR’s Big Changes: What Their IPL 2026 Auction Strategy Looks Like RR Shuffles Squad Before the Season of 2026 The RR trade window kept moving before the auction. CSK traded Sam Curran along with Jadeja for enjoying the services of Sanju Samson in upcoming season. RR engaged again with Delhi Capitals (DC) for the services of Nitish Rana in return for South African all-rounder Donovan Ferreira. With Kumar Sangakkara back at the head of cricket operations, the RR are eyeing a strong auction in building a strong squad in the IPL 2026 auction. Jadeja's leadership, skill, and all-round experience are expected to tip the scale toward aiming for a more balanced and fresh mindset for the team. While Rajasthan Royals are keen on breaking this long wait for a second IPL title, all eyes will, of course, be on whether the arrival of Jadeja can galvanize efforts to produce the winning charm that has hitherto eluded the team.