Jaiswal Might Need to Wait a Bit Longer: Robin Uthappa on RR Captaincy
Robin Uthappa, Anil Kumble, and Head Coach – Rajasthan Royals, Kumar Sangakkara, broke down how the franchise has reshaped its squad and leadership structure
Rajasthan Royals made some key additions during the TATA IPL Auction 2026. Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar experts Robin Uthappa, Anil Kumble, and Head Coach – Rajasthan Royals, Kumar Sangakkara broke down how the franchise has reshaped its squad and leadership structure.
Speaking on the ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Robin Uthappa analysed the Rajasthan Royals’ squad depth and bowling options:
"The advantage Rajasthan Royals have is the fact that they have 10 fast bowlers, offering a lot of options. If they bowl in the right areas at SMS Stadium, Jaipur, they can be very successful. With spinners like Bishnoi and Jadeja, support from Shimron Hetmyer and Donovan Ferreira, and depth in the batting order with Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag, they now have a well-rounded team. The only question is leadership. My feeling is the captaincy will likely be between Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja, while Jaiswal might need to wait a bit longer."
Anil Kumble highlighted the importance of leadership and squad balance:
"When you look at this lineup, the captaincy will be the most decisive factor. If you want to replicate the kind of personality Sanju Samson brought to Rajasthan Royals, Dhruv Jurel is probably the closest match. Beyond that, the squad is strong, with talented youngsters, proven players, and all-rounders. Fitness of key players like Jofra Archer at the start of IPL is also crucial. Ultimately, the management needs to identify and communicate who the captain will be."
Head Coach – Rajasthan Royals, Kumar Sangakkara, discussed the team strategy and leadership clarity:
"We are trying to replicate the success Rajasthan Royals enjoyed in 2022-24 by bringing in experienced Indian spinners and front-loading fast bowlers. Adding power hitters like Donovan Ferreira and Shimron Hetmyer gives us batting depth. But the key remains choosing the right captain, and I hope the management has already communicated with the captain about team composition. This clarity is essential before stepping into the season."