The spotlight is back on Rajasthan Royals as reports suggest the franchise is battling a deep internal divide over captaincy ahead of IPL 2026. What was once considered a straightforward leadership call has spiraled into a three-way power struggle, with Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Riyan Parag all emerging as contenders.
The controversy erupted just as Rahul Dravid stepped down as head coach, turning down an elevated role within the Royals. His exit has fuelled speculation that the franchise’s leadership deadlock may have played a role in his decision.
According to Cricbuzz, RR has been split into three factions. One camp lobbied for Riyan Parag, who briefly led the team last season in Samson’s absence but won just two of eight matches. Another faction backed Yashasvi Jaiswal, considered a long-term bet and future face of the team, despite his lack of captaincy experience. The third group stood firmly behind Sanju Samson, pushing for continuity and experience at a time of flux.
With no consensus and Dravid walking away, the franchise now finds itself in uncharted waters. Samson’s future with RR has already been clouded by rumours of a possible release before IPL 2026, while Jaiswal and Parag’s ambitions threaten to split the camp further.
As the Royals prepare for the mega auction, the unresolved captaincy debate could define not just their leadership but also their identity heading into the next season.
