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Rajasthan Royals (RR) find themselves in turbulent waters after the sudden departure of head coach Rahul Dravid. Just a day after Dravid declined a broader role within the franchise, reports have surfaced suggesting that the team is internally divided on the question of captaincy. According to Cricbuzz, RR has three separate factions – each backing a different candidate: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag.
The lack of consensus on leadership has now cast uncertainty over the Royals’ immediate future, especially with the IPL 2026 auction looming and the search for a new head coach already underway.
Triple-headed battle for the captaincy role in Rajasthan Royals
The report claims that there were three clear schools of thought inside the Royals’ setup. One group of players and officials supported Riyan Parag, who briefly captained the side in Sanju Samson’s absence during the 2025 season. However, his stint as stand-in skipper was far from convincing – RR managed just two wins out of eight matches under his leadership. Despite this record, supporters of Parag believe he represents the franchise’s future and could grow into the role with time.
Another section within the camp leaned towards Yashasvi Jaiswal, the explosive opener who has steadily cemented his place as one of India’s brightest batting talents. While Jaiswal has never captained Rajasthan Royals before, his leadership ambitions are no secret. His supporters see him as the “future face” of the franchise, someone who could lead for the long term if given the opportunity.
The third group favoured continuity by backing Sanju Samson to continue as captain. Samson, who has been associated with RR for years, remains a popular figure among fans and teammates. For this faction, sticking with Samson represents stability at a time when the franchise is already dealing with changes off the field.
“The buzz outside the setup suggests that within the franchise there were three different schools of thought: one group pushed for Riyan Parag, another backed Yashasvi Jaiswal as the future leader, while a third preferred maintaining the status quo with Samson continuing at the helm,” Cricbuzz reported.
Also READ: Fans left shocked after Rahul Dravid steps down as Rajasthan Royals head coach – IPL T20
Rahul Dravid’s exit adds to uncertainty in RR camp
The leadership debate has taken centre stage in the wake of Rahul Dravid’s departure. Dravid, who had joined the Royals as head coach, decided to step down on Saturday after rejecting a broader backroom role within the team. His decision has reportedly deepened the vacuum in the Royals’ leadership structure.
Samson’s future remains another major talking point. Reports suggest the Kerala batter may have asked for a release ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. If RR decides to let him go, it would not only mark the end of a long association but also open up the captaincy race even further.
Meanwhile, the franchise is already considering potential replacements for Dravid. Former Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, who has previously worked with the team in a director’s role, has emerged as a likely candidate to take over as head coach.
For now, the Royals stand at a crossroads. With no clear mandate for captaincy, a key coach’s exit, and the looming uncertainty over their skipper, the franchise faces a crucial few weeks that could define their fortunes for the next IPL cycle.
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