The day Sanju Samson even thinks about stepping into CSK’s sacred yellow, Rajasthan Royals aren’t just staring at a leadership gap; they’re staring at an identity reset. Losing a captain is tough. Losing a symbol is tougher. But this story isn’t about what RR lose. It’s about who steps up to claim the throne. And no, let’s stop the chatter right here, it is not Riyan Parag.
1st Choice: Yashasvi Jaiswal
The name leading this race? Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Yes, he slipped out of India’s T20I squad. But if you think he’s been forgotten, you're not watching closely enough. For Rajasthan, he’s been non-negotiable. Three IPL seasons, not a single game missed. 1,619 runs. Explosive starts, fearless cricket, and a mindset built for the big stage. At just 23, Yashasvi isn’t a kid learning the ropes - he’s a cornerstone, a blueprint of the Royals’ future.
And don’t forget that moment when he almost shifted from Mumbai to Goa for domestic captaincy experience. Not desperation, but ambition. A young batter ready to chase leadership, to test himself, to evolve. He stayed eventually, but the signal was loud: this guy wants the steering wheel, not the passenger seat.
2nd Choice: Dhruv Jurel
But hold up, this isn’t a one-horse race. Dhruv Jurel walks in with ice in his veins and maturity far beyond his years. Calm, composed, clutch - the kind of temperament you don’t coach, you’re born with. Three IPL seasons, all with RR. And when they retained him for ₹14 crore, it wasn’t a gamble. It was belief. Jurel doesn’t shout leadership - he radiates it. Sometimes, it’s the silent generals who win the toughest battles.
Yes, Ravindra Jadeja will likely be in the mix if Samson exits. But come on, captaincy? We’ve seen that chapter at CSK. And Royals aren’t looking to rewind the clock; they’re fast-forwarding into a new era. Youth. Hunger. Vision. Risk with reward, not reputation.
So, this isn’t just a captaincy call. It’s a direction call. Jaiswal, the High-Voltage Aggressor? Or Jurel, the Ice-Blood Tactician? Because the RR throne isn’t simply vacant, it’s waiting to be owned. And this time, the question isn’t “Who can?” It’s “Who’s ready to build a legacy?”
Pink crown. Fresh fire. New era loading. Rajasthan, make your choice.
