{"id":3787,"date":"2025-08-09T08:49:27","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T08:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/09\/not-riyan-parag-pundit-says-38-year-old-could-be-rr-captain-if-sanju-samson-leaves-cricket-news\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T08:49:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T08:49:27","slug":"not-riyan-parag-pundit-says-38-year-old-could-be-rr-captain-if-sanju-samson-leaves-cricket-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/09\/not-riyan-parag-pundit-says-38-year-old-could-be-rr-captain-if-sanju-samson-leaves-cricket-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Not Riyan Parag! Pundit Says 38-Year-Old Could Be RR Captain If Sanju Samson Leaves | Cricket News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9494972\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-730caffcddfd709\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-730caffcddfd709\">August 09, 2025, 14:19 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9494972\" class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-1849209372 asubttl-schema\">Aakash Chopra suggests this 38-year-old star could lead Rajasthan Royals if Sanju Samson leaves.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"jsx-45a692afa6f47900 artsharwrp\">\n<div id=\"artshare\" class=\"jsx-45a692afa6f47900 artshare\">\n<div class=\"jsx-45a692afa6f47900 stickdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-45a692afa6f47900 deskwrapstkdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-45a692afa6f47900 fontchange\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\" height=\"30px\" width=\"30px\" alt=\"font\" class=\"jsx-45a692afa6f47900 lazyload\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-1849209372 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Riyan Parag captained RR to two wins in IPL 2025. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)\" title=\"Riyan Parag captained RR to two wins in IPL 2025. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-1849209372\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Riyan Parag captained RR to two wins in IPL 2025. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes that if Sanju Samson were to leave the Rajasthan Royals (RR) this season, Ravichandran Ashwin could be a good choice to lead the franchise. Chopra\u2019s comments were in light of rumors that Samson has conveyed his eagerness to look for a challenge beyond RR, and Ashwin has asked for the same at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), though it\u2019s not confirmed that the two teams are up for a switch.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">Samson missed five of the 14 league stage games in IPL 2025 and didn\u2019t captain in three more. Riyan Parag, 23, led the team in his absence but couldn\u2019t impress much, overseeing only two wins in eight games. There are other options in RR\u2019s young core, like Yashasvi Jaiswal who is said to have been harboring captaincy ambitions, and Dhruv Jurel, but neither has enough experience to make them a clear first-choice.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">\u201cRR\u2019s captain might come to CSK, although he might not become the captain, as Ruturaj Gaikwad might remain the captain, but Ashwin could go to Rajasthan and become their captain because they need a captain,&#8221; Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel. \u201cI was thinking who could become Rajasthan\u2019s captain if Sanju leaves. Dhruv Jurel, not ready and very, very young. Yashasvi Jaiswal, of course, has captaincy aspirations, but I don\u2019t think they will invest in him now. Riyan Parag was okay, okay last season. So it may just work out beautifully,&#8221; he observed.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">CSK are said to be the most interested in bringing in Sanju, probably to ensure a succession plan for when MS Dhoni decides to call it quits. However, RR have reportedly asked a couple of players in exchange for Samson, but it is uncertain if CSK would agree.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">\u201cSanju in yellow, so the keeping future is ready,&#8221; Chopra said. \u201cThen MS Dhoni can do whatever he feels like. RR need an off-spinner as well because (Wanindu) Hasaranga and (Maheesh) Theekshana haven\u2019t done the job that much. So they would get that and a captain, and everything looks alright. I feel that can happen,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"authorimg\" src=\"data:image\/jpeg;base64,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\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/cricketnext-staff-13125.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Cricketnext Staff<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that\u2019s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that\u2019s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext<!-- --> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-1849209372 coral-count-custom\">view comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-1849209372 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/cricket\/\">cricket<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> Not Riyan Parag! Pundit Says 38-Year-Old Could Be RR Captain If Sanju Samson Leaves<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc \">\n<div class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-1849209372 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/cricket\/not-riyan-parag-pundit-says-38-year-old-could-be-rr-captain-if-sanju-samson-leaves-ws-l-9494972.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:August 09, 2025, 14:19 IST Aakash Chopra suggests this 38-year-old star could lead Rajasthan Royals if Sanju Samson leaves. Riyan Parag captained RR to two wins in IPL 2025. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics) Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes that if Sanju Samson were to leave the Rajasthan Royals (RR) this season, Ravichandran Ashwin could&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3788,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cricket"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3787"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3787\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}