IPL 2025: Nitish Rana opens up on Rajasthan Royals picking Riyan Parag as captain over him

Riyan Parag has been appointed captain of the Rajasthan Royals as current skipper Sanju Samson grapples with fitness issues at the start of the IPL 2025. Samson, however, continues to bat for the team but is restricted to the role of an Impact Player due to limitations in wicketkeeping and fielding, imposed by his condition. 

Unexpected Leadership Choice

Parag's elevation to captaincy has caught many by surprise, especially with experienced all-rounder Nitish Rana also in the mix. Rana, known for his leadership role with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), was a key contender.

However, Rana has expressed full support for the management's decision. "When I captained KKR, I had been with the team for six to seven years, which gave me a deep understanding of its culture and environment. Here, Riyan is clearly more attuned to the Royals’ setup than I am, and his captaincy appointment is indeed justified," Rana remarked, as the Royals prepare for their clash against the Delhi Capitals. 

Commitment to Team Goals

Rana, who openly admitted he would have embraced the captaincy if offered, conveyed his trust in the management’s choice. "Ultimately, what matters is the team's success, and I believe that management made the correct decision," he said with conviction.

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Rana commenced his IPL season with vigour, clocking an impressive 81-run performance against Chennai Super Kings. Yet, the following matches saw him yield only modest scores of 12, 1, and 4 (not out). Despite this fluctuation, Rana remains focused on team strategy over individual accolades. "In this high-impact league, sometimes the game requires a specific strategy, like maintaining a left-right batting combination," he expounded. 

Reflecting on his adaptability, Rana recounted stepping up to bat at number three during a match, culminating in a notable 80-run contribution. "Every situation calls for a different approach and I'm here to support the team in any capacity," he affirmed, underscoring his versatile mindset.