Riyan Parag Creates History as Rajasthan Royals’ Youngest Captain in IPL 2025
Riyan Parag made history in the IPL 2025 season, becoming the youngest captain in Rajasthan Royals’ history. At just 23 years and 133 days old, Parag broke the previous record held by Steve Smith, who led the Royals in 2014 at 24 years and 347 days old. This opportunity for Parag comes in the absence of regular captain Sanju Samson, who is recovering from an injury. His appointment has sparked excitement among fans and experts, as the young all-rounder has been a key player for Rajasthan Royals since his debut in 2019.
Parag joins an elite group of young captains in IPL history. Virat Kohli was just 22 years and 187 days old when he led Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2011. Steve Smith, in his early leadership days, captained Pune Warriors India at 22 years and 344 days in 2012. Other notable young captains include Suresh Raina, who led Chennai Super Kings at 23 years and 112 days in 2010, Shreyas Iyer taking charge of Delhi Capitals at 23 years and 142 days in 2018, and Rashid Khan, who became Gujarat Titans’ captain at 23 years and 209 days in 2022. Parag now adds his name to this distinguished list, marking a significant milestone in his IPL career.
Having been a consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals, Parag earned this leadership role after an outstanding IPL 2024 season. He scored 573 runs in 16 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 149.3, proving his ability to take on high-pressure situations. His aggressive batting style and growing maturity on the field have made him a valuable asset for the team. The 2025 season will be a defining moment in his career as he steps into the captaincy role, leading Rajasthan Royals in their first three matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26, and Chennai Super Kings on March 30.
This leadership responsibility presents Parag with an opportunity to showcase his strategic thinking and inspire his teammates. Fans and cricket analysts will closely watch how he handles the captaincy in a high-stakes tournament like the IPL. His ability to perform under pressure, make crucial decisions, and lead from the front will be tested as he aims to guide Rajasthan Royals to a strong start in the season.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Riyan Parag and his journey as Rajasthan Royals’ youngest captain. Whether he can rise to the challenge and leave a lasting impact remains to be seen. For video news and exclusive updates, visit our YouTube channel THE OLIGO.
