Yashasvi Jaiswal makes IPL captaincy debut vs GT, but why did Riyan Parag miss out?

Yashasvi Jaiswal captained the Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2026 clash against the Gujarat Titans on Saturday, May 9, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. It marked the first time Jaiswal led an IPL side, stepping in for regular skipper Riyan Parag, who missed the match due to a hamstring injury. In fact, Jaiswal had never led a T20 team before.

IPL 2026, RR vs GT: Updates | Scorecard

Jaiswal also provided an update on Parag’s injury, which the all-rounder suffered during Rajasthan’s previous game against the Delhi Capitals. During that match, the RR captain experienced discomfort, spent time off the field, received strapping on his leg, and later remained in the dugout as the injury concern persisted.

“Parag pulled his hamstring, he will be coming back soon,” Jaiswal said at the toss.

For the Rajasthan Royals, left-handed batter Shimron Hetmyer and leg-spinner Yash Raj Punja were also included in the playing XI. The Royals currently sit fourth on the points table with 12 points and a net run rate of +0.510, having won six of their 10 matches so far this season.

The Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, made just one change, bringing back fast bowler Prasidh Krishna in place of Manav Suthar. Riding a three-match winning streak, GT have been in impressive form and will be aiming to move one step closer to sealing a playoff berth.

Playing XIs for RR vs GT

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

Impact Subs: Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kumar Kushagra

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

Impact Subs: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Adam Milne, Ravi Singh, Sushant Mishra, Ravi Bishnoi

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