‘Like replacing Virat Kohli’: Riyan Parag on Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals exit
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag acknowledged the immense void left by Sanju Samson's departure, comparing his irreplaceable talent to Virat Kohli's. Parag highlighted the team's focus on addressing last season's late-game losses and building a balanced squad with strong spin and pace options. He expressed confidence in the team's all-round strength and their ability to perform regardless of the venue.
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has addressed the biggest talking point ahead of IPL 2026 — the absence of long-time leader and star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson — with a striking comparison that underlines the scale of the void left behind. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Samson, the face of the franchise for over a decade, represented the Royals across 11 seasons before being traded to Chennai Super Kings, where he will now feature in yellow. In exchange, Rajasthan brought in England all-rounder Sam Curran and veteran Ravindra Jadeja, signalling a shift in team composition. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Parag made it clear that replacing Samson is no straightforward task.
“Sanju’s game is unique; he cannot be compared to anyone else. It is like asking, ‘Who is Virat Kohli’s replacement? ’ — it simply isn’t possible,” he said.
“However, every player plays to win, and everyone has different capabilities. ” Parag also reflected on the team’s shortcomings last season, particularly in crunch moments. “We were losing matches in the final stages.