“In my opinion, he should be captain” – Not Riyan Parag or Sanju Samson, Mohammad Kaif picks RR skipper for IPL 2026 season

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has backed Yashasvi Jaiswal to lead the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Justifying his statement, the cricketer-turned-commentator said that Jaiswal has more international exposure than Riyan Parag. Unlike Parag, he believes that the Mumbai player would deliver the best even during pressure situations.

Kaif stressed that Parag managed just two wins in his eight games as skipper in IPL 2025. He wants the management to give him a longer rope or appoint Jaiswal as the new captain.

The statement came after reports that Sanju Samson would join the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2026. As per ESPNcricinfo, RR and CSK are trying to trade Samson with all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said on Sunday (November 9):

“See, Riyan Parag has been playing for a few years, but Jaiswal has the international experience (to lead the side). You can’t write off that. In my opinion, he should be the captain. It’s because wherever he goes around the world, he’s scoring runs.

"His [Jaiswal] bad luck is that he’s not been able to play in T20Is and ODIs for India. He’s ready, but there are, of course, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill. So, he’ll have to wait. But he has done everything with the bat. Jaiswal has more experience under pressure in terms of international exposure. Even if they make Parag, they should give him time,” he added.

“You won’t find a coach like him” – Mohammad Kaif slams RR ahead of IPL 2026

Mohammad Kaif further slammed RR’s decision to let go of their head coach, Rahul Dravid, ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The 44-year-old pointed out that Dravid guided the Men in Blue to the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy before joining the Royals last year. He said in the same video:

“Dravid's leaving is a big loss for the Rajasthan Royals because wins and losses happen. You can’t play well every year. Talking about Rahul Dravid, he guided India to the 2024 T20 World Cup a few months back. He did exceptionally well with Rohit Sharma… He has made himself with time. Dravid has an old-style coaching, and that’s why he could work with Rohit Sharma.

“Things can go up or down with a young player, despite how talented one may be. Of course, RR would promote Riyan Parag, but they have let go of big players - Sanju Samson and even bigger Rahul Dravid. You won’t find a coach like him,” he added.

Notably, RR have been undergoing a major overhaul as CEO Jake Lush McCrum and several coaches have also left the franchise ahead of the 2026 auction. Notably, the inaugural champions last played the final in 2022, where they lost to the Gujarat Titans (GT).