Like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson cannot be replaced: Riyan Parag
India Today
IPL: Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has said that like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, Sanju Samson, is irreplaceable as a player. Parag is set to take over as the full time captain of the side this year.
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has opened up on the absence of Sanju Samson ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. Samson, who led the side over the last five years, was traded to Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL auction last season. RR, in return, secured the services of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
Speaking about the void Samson leaves behind, Parag said replacing him is as difficult as replacing stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Indian team.
"If you talk about Sanju bhaiya, we never think about replacing the kind of player he is," Parag told reporters at a pre-season press conference in Jaipur.
"We can perhaps look for someone with a similar skill set or have someone bat in his position. It's like there is no replacement for Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma. In the same way, there is no replacement for Sanju bhaiya because he is such a good player," Parag said, referring to the two superstars who now play only the ODI format.
VIDEO | Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag, speaking at the IPL 2026 pre-season press conference, says Sanju Samson is irreplaceable and stresses the team’s focus on better planning and finishing games this season.He says, "We never thought of replacing him (Sanju Samson). pic.twitter.com/n9HuGqJ0DH— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 19, 2026
Having represented the franchise for 11 years across two stints, Sanju remains RR's most successful captain and leading run-scorer, having guided them to the IPL 2022 final and the playoffs in 2024.
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