“They should make him the captain” - Aakash Chopra doesn’t pick Ravindra Jadeja as RR skipper amid IPL 2026 trade rumours

Former batter Aakash Chopra named Yashasvi Jaiswal as the player who should captain Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the upcoming IPL season. As per multiple reports, Rajasthan are set to trade skipper Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

While Jadeja comes with a lot of experience and has captained in the IPL as well, Aakash Chopra reckoned that Rajasthan must pick Jaiswal to lead them. The left-hander began his journey in the IPL with RR in 2020 and has been with them ever since.

"I think Yashasvi Jaiswal will lead them. I feel he should have spoken with the franchise that he wants to stay, but he also wants to be the leader. Given the stage he is in his career, I think captaincy matters. So they should make him the captain," he said during a conversation on '2 Sloggers' YouTube channel.

Jaiswal has scored 2166 runs from 67 matches at an average of 34.38 and a strike-rate of 152.85 with two centuries and 15 half-centuries.

The former cricketer also revealed that he had suggested CSK should release Jadeja during the IPL last year. Coincidentally, he had also spoken about a trade with Rajasthan involving wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.

"I had told that CSK should release Jadeja midway through the IPL last year. I looked at Rajasthan and said they can trade him with Dhruv Jurel. I did not know that Sanju was an option back then but I thought Jurel was a possible option. So I suggested it at that point of time," he stated.

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"If one party has decided that they want to go, then no one can stop them" - Aakash Chopra on Sanju Samson leaving RR

Talking further about the RR-CSK trade involving Sanju Samson and the two Chennai stars, Aakash Chopra reflected that there were rumours of Samson wanting to leave Rajasthan right after the last season.

While it made no sense for RR to leave their captain and star batter, Aakash Chopra observed that nothing could be done if Samson had made up his mind to move on from the franchise.

"There were rumors that Sanju did not want to stay at RR for a long time. Everyone will want to keep him. It makes no sense that you leave your captain who has done well, is doing well for India as well, and has been with you for a long time. But ultimately as a franchise you need to see that if it is a forced relationship then it cannot last for long. How long will you drag it? If one party has decided that they want to go, then no one can stop them," he said.

Samson began his IPL journey with RR in 2013. He played two seasons for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2016 and 2017, when Rajasthan was suspended. However, he returned to the franchise in 2018 and has been with them ever since.

Aakash Chopra also explained why Samson's leaving would allow Rajasthan to better their balance. He highlighted that they lacked an Indian spinner and relied on the Sri Lankan duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.

"RR's strategy last year was flawed because they had two overseas spinners in the IPL, although they are from the subcontinent. Both have had middling performances. So now they have an opportunity to right that wrong. You cannot foresee form. But names on paper, they look like a very good team now."

RR finished ninth on the table last year. They played the final of the 2022 season under Samson but lost to the Gujarat Titans (GT).

Edited by Rishab Vm