Yashasvi Jaiswal will captain Rajasthan Royals for the first time in IPL 2026, stepping in for regular skipper Riyan Parag ahead of a major clash against Gujarat Titans. Parag was ruled out of the contest due to a hamstring injury, leaving Jaiswal to lead the side from the toss in Jaipur.
At the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, RR won the toss and chose to bowl first. The surface is expected to suit batting again, setting up what could be another high-scoring game in the capital of Rajasthan.
How the captaincy switch happened
- Yashasvi Jaiswal captains Rajasthan Royals for the first time from the start of an IPL 2026 match.
- Riyan Parag misses the clash due to a hamstring injury.
- Parag picked up the injury in the previous RR match versus Delhi Capitals.
- RR chose to bowl first after winning the toss in Jaipur.
- Rajasthan brought back Shimron Hetmyer and Yash Raj Punja for the XI.
- Gujarat Titans included Prasidh Krishna after he replaced Manav Suthar.
Parag sustained the injury during Rajasthan’s earlier game against Delhi Capitals. He pulled his hamstring in that match and was not able to take the field during the second innings, with Jaiswal taking over leadership on the field for the remainder of the encounter. This Saturday’s match is different, though—Jaiswal is officially starting as captain.
During the toss, Jaiswal indicated that Parag is likely to return soon. “We are going to bowl first. I think the wicket is pretty good and we want to chase it. Riyan pulled his hamstring last game, so I feel he’ll be coming back soon,” Jaiswal said.
Changes to the playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals made two adjustments to their lineup for the showdown. Shimron Hetmyer and Yash Raj Punja were brought back into the playing XI for the key fixture.
Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, also had an early plan in mind after the toss went against them. Shubman Gill admitted that GT would have preferred to bowl first, but the decision had already been made at the toss.
As for personnel, Gujarat made one change. Prasidh Krishna returned to the XI in place of Manav Suthar.
Gill also underlined the need to play in line with the team’s strengths as the playoff race tightens. He pointed to the belief Gujarat have built by winning several close games during the season.
Playing XIs
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (w), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj.
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal (c), Dhruv Jurel (w), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja.
