Riyan Parag Creates History, Becomes The Youngest Ever Rajasthan Royals Skipper

Riyan Parag created history in Hyderabad when he stepped out for the toss as Rajasthan Royals’ youngest skipper in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history. 

Parag got the opportunity today against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and will continue to do so in the next two games as well because regular skipper Sanju Samson is not 100% fit yet. He is only fit enough to turn out to bat as an impact player, thus Parag will lead RR across the first three games as Samson will play as a specialist batter.

There have been three captains who have led an IPL team at a younger age than Parag will.

Virat Kohli is the youngest captain in IPL history. He was just 22 years and 187 days old when he captained RCB for the first time in IPL 2011 against RR. The second and third-youngest to captain in the IPL are Steve Smith (22 years 344 days) and Suresh Raina (23 years 112 days).

Youngest captains in IPL history

22y 187d - Virat Kohli vs RR, Jaipur, 2011

22y 344d - Steve Smith vs RCB, Pune, 2012

23y 112d - Suresh Raina vs DC, Delhi, 2010

23y 133d - Riyan Parag vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2025*

23y 142d - Shreyas Iyer vs KKR, Delhi, 2018

Parag won the first toss of his career as an IPL captain and decided to bowl first against SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. “Looks like a dry wicket so we'll have a crack at it later,” Parag said at the toss. 

“[It] Means a lot [to captain RR]. I started here as a 17-year-old. Getting to fill in big shoes, very excited. The impact rule helps with Sanju. We've retained a lot of our core so that helps with the batting order.”