By Robert 
Rajasthan Royals raised eyebrows earlier this IPL season by naming Riyan Parag as stand-in captain in Sanju Samson’s absence, sidelining more experienced options like Nitish Rana and Yashasvi Jaiswal. With Samson nursing a finger injury, the franchise opted for Parag to lead the team in the first three matches—sparking discussions across the cricketing community.
Now, Nitish Rana has addressed the Royals’ unexpected decision. The former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper, who led the franchise in IPL 2023 when Shreyas Iyer was injured, shared his thoughts ahead of RR’s clash with Delhi Capitals.
“When I captained KKR, I had been with the team for six to seven years and understood the culture and environment,” Rana said. “Here at RR, Riyan knows the setup better than I do. So I believe the management made the right call.”
That said, Rana also admitted he would’ve welcomed the opportunity had it come his way.
“If they had asked me, I’d have gladly taken up the captaincy. But ultimately, it’s about what’s best for the team, and I support that,” he added.
Rana also spoke about the fluidity in his batting role this season. While his standout knock of 81 off 36 balls came batting at No. 3 against Chennai Super Kings, he’s found himself shuffled across the order.
“Match situations change quickly. Sometimes it’s about maintaining a left-right combination, or other tactical decisions. I haven’t batted in a couple of games, and I’ve been asked to float,” he explained. “But I always try to deliver what the team needs. I’m happy to adapt.”
With RR seeking consistency in the second half of the season, Rana’s experience and versatility could prove crucial—both with the bat and in guiding the younger players in the squad.