Will Yashasvi Jaiswal leave Rajasthan Royals after being denied captaincy?

Speculation is swirling around the future of Yashasvi Jaiswal at Rajasthan Royals as IPL 2026 preparations gather pace. While several franchises have already begun gearing up for the upcoming season, the Royals are yet to formally kick off their camp. However, off-field developments have already put the spotlight firmly on the Jaipur-based side.

The franchise, which won the inaugural IPL title, recently made a bold move by trading long-time captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings in exchange for seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. With Samson’s departure leaving a leadership vacuum, attention quickly turned to who would take over the captaincy.

According to reports, Rajasthan Royals named Riyan Parag as their new skipper for IPL 2026. The development has raised eyebrows, particularly because neither Jadeja nor Jaiswal seems to be in serious contention for the captaincy. Jaiswal, who has been associated with the franchise since 2020, has emerged as one of its most consistent performers in recent seasons. His omission from the leadership race could come as a disappointment, especially given his stature in Indian cricket.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Jaiswal’s long-term future with the franchise could depend on how aligned his ambitions are with the team’s plans. Responding to a fan’s comment that Jaiswal may not stay long at RR, Chopra remarked that such a scenario is “quite possible” if the player’s aspirations are not in sync with the franchise’s vision.

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Jaiswal has enjoyed success across formats for India, including being part of a World Cup-winning squad. However, he has not yet cemented a place in India’s T20 setup and is currently seen more as a backup option in ODIs, despite being a regular in the Test side. In contrast, Gill’s rapid rise in leadership roles has often placed him a step ahead in that regard.

With IPL 2026 around the corner, the Royals’ captaincy announcement could mark a significant turning point - not just for the franchise, but potentially for Jaiswal’s future with the team as well.