Riyan Parag is set to become the youngest ever cricketer to lead the Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2025.
Rajasthan Royals have named Riyan Parag as their captain for the first three matches of IPL 2025. They may use Sanju Samson, their de facto captain, as an impact player (or have an impact player used for him, if RR bat first).
Also read: IPL 2025, live updates: Team news, player arrival and training updates, latest pictures and more
IPL 2025: Riyan Parag to become youngest to lead RR
At 23 years 133 days on the day of RR’s first game of the season, Riyan will become the youngest to lead the franchise. The record currently lies with Steve Smith, who was 24 years 347 days old when he had led them in 2014. Smith is also the youngest to lead Pune Warriors India and Rising Pune Supergiant, the two defunct teams based in the same city.
Smith is one of three cricketers who are the youngest to lead multiple franchises. Suresh Raina tops the list for Chennai Super Kings and the defunct Gujarat Lions, while Shreyas Iyer is the youngest for Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Another Indian set to break the record for his new franchise is Rishabh Pant. At 27 years 171 days old, he will be the first to lead the Lucknow Super Giants before turning 28. Nicholas Pooran held the previous record.
At 22 years 187 days, Virat Kohli continues to head this list.
Also read: IPL 2025: Who are the captains and coaching staff of each team?
Youngest cricketer to lead every IPL franchise
| Age (Y-D) | Captain | Team | Opposition | Venue | Season |
| 22-187 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore* | Rajasthan Royals | Jaipur | 2011 |
| 22-344 | Steve Smith | Pune Warriors India† | Royal Challengers Bangalore* | Pune | 2012 |
| 23-112 | Suresh Raina | Chennai Super Kings | Delhi Daredevils* | Chennai | 2010 |
| 23-142 | Shreyas Iyer | Delhi Daredevils* | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Delhi | 2018 |
| 23-209 | Rashid Khan | Gujarat Titans | Chennai Super Kings | Pune | 2022 |
| 24-316 | Sam Curran | Punjab Kings | Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow | 2023 |
| 24-347 | Steve Smith | Rajasthan Royals | Delhi Daredevils* | Ahmedabad | 2014 |
| 25-359 | Rohit Sharma | Mumbai Indians | Kolkata Knight Riders | Kolkata | 2013 |
| 26-70 | Parthiv Patel | Kochi Tuskers Kerala† | Chennai Super Kings | Chennai | 2011 |
| 27-110 | Shreyas Iyer | Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai | 2022 |
| 27-244 | Kane Williamson | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rajasthan Royals | Hyderabad | 2018 |
| 27-276 | Cameron White | Deccan Chargers† | Kings XI Punjab* | Dharamshala | 2011 |
| 27-308 | Steve Smith | Rising Pune Supergiant† | Mumbai Indians | Pune | 2017 |
| 28-180 | Nicholas Pooran | Lucknow Super Giants | Punjab Kings | Lucknow | 2024 |
| 29-136 | Suresh Raina | Gujarat Lions† | Kings XI Punjab* | Mohali | 2016 |
†defunct teams
*old names: the current names are Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings
