IPL 2025: Riyan Parag Joins Virat Kohli In Elite List As The 23-Year-Old Leads Rajasthan Royal Against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Indian Premier League: Batting all-rounder Riyan Parag joined the likes of stars Virat Kohli, and Steve Smith as the Assam-born cricketer leads Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, March 23.

Riyan Parag Becomes Fourth Youngest Captain In IPL History

Parag registered the milestone of becoming the fourth youngest captain in the IPL history. Parag is leading the Rajasthan-based franchise at the age of 23 years and 133 days. 

Currently, Virat Kohli is the youngest skipper to lead a side. he achieved the milestone in 2011 at the age of 22 years and 187 days while captaining the Royal Challengers.

Steve Smith holds the second spot, when he led the Pune Warriors India in 2012 at the age of 22 years and 344 days. Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina is the third youngest skipper in IPL. He registered the feat in 2010 while leading Chennai Super Kings at the age of 23 years and 112 days.

Shreyas Iyer stands in the fifth place on the chart. He led Delhi Daredevils at the age of 23 years and 142 years in 2018. 

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Riyan Parag Made His Debut In IPL Six Years Back

Riyan Parag made his debut in IPL six years back. He has played 70 IPL matches, scoring 1173 at a strike rate of 135.14 and an average of 24.44. In the previous season, Parag displayed a stupendous performance in 16 matches while scoring 573 runs at a strike rate of 149.22. 

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A few days back, Sanju Samson confirmed that he would be playing the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad fully as a batter, for which Parag will captain the Royals in Hyderabad.

In IPL 2024, Rajasthan Royals ended their campaign in the play-off after conceding a 36-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

On March 23, Riyan Parag-led Rajasthan Royals won the toss and decided to bowl against the Hyderabad-based franchise at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.