Sandeep Sharma in the Mix as Parag Goes from Doing What He’s Told to Calling the Shots
Rajasthan Royals’ internal selection process placed sandeep sharma among a short list of captaincy contenders before the franchise settled on Riyan Parag, a move that reframes leadership and selection questions ahead of the IPL opener. The choice followed multiple conversations with each candidate and a deliberate evaluation of temperament and tactical clarity, and it arrives as pundit Aakash Chopra publishes a preferred playing eleven and batting order for the facing Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30.
Why this matters right now
The decision to install a new captain is consequential in a season-opening match environment. Rajasthan Royals announced a leadership shift after Sanju Samson’s departure, and head coach Kumar Sangakkara said the franchise ran a structured process that included candidates such as sandeep sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. That process involved two to four conversations with each contender, Sangakkara said, and prioritized maturity, self-reflection and clarity of thought when selecting a leader. At the same time, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra publicly suggested a playing eleven and batting order, recommending Dhruv Jurel at No. 3, Riyan Parag at No. 4, Shimron Hetmyer at No. 5 and Donovan Ferreira at No. 6 while advising against selecting Dasun Shanaka among four overseas players.
Sandeep Sharma considered in the captaincy sweep — deep analysis and expert perspectives
The inclusion of Sandeep Sharma in the shortlist signals the franchise weighed experience and leadership potential alongside established names. Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara said the conversations with candidates were ‘‘tough’’ but that all those spoken to were capable of captaining the side; Sangakkara added that Parag demonstrated the attributes the team believed were the best fit. Sangakkara also acknowledged the team’s off-season focus on remedying previous middle-order issues, noting honest conversations and tough decisions aimed at achieving immediate impact rather than long-term projection.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra framed his tactical recommendations around balance and matchups. Chopra urged against stacking left-handers at the top of the order and recommended keeping Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal together at the top — a pairing Chopra highlighted for their prior impact, citing a combined strike rate of 203 and an average of 60 across seven innings when they batted together last season, with an average age of 19. Chopra also suggested bringing in Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger after Ravindra Jadeja and opted not to include Dasun Shanaka for the opening game, noting Shanaka had been signed as a replacement for Sam Curran.
Chennai Super Kings’ Stephen Fleming offered a counterpoint on continuity, downplaying notions of transition without M. S. Dhoni: ‘‘It’s just a game without him. He’s still heavily involved in the side, and his influence remains very strong, ’’ Fleming said. Fleming also confirmed Dewald Brevis will miss the opener after sustaining a side strain and is currently in rehabilitation.
Regional impact and what to watch next
The immediate effect of these choices will play out in Guwahati when Rajasthan Royals meet Chennai Super Kings in the early stage of the tournament. Selection decisions—who fills overseas slots, how the middle order is structured, and who leads on the field—carry tactical implications for how RR manages powerplay options and death-overs combinations. Aakash Chopra’s preferred lineup and batting order place emphasis on a brisk top-order start and a deeper, finishing bench led by Donovan Ferreira’s form and death-over credentials, while Sangakkara’s captaincy rationale prioritizes temperament and decision-making under pressure.
As the season opens, two threads merit close attention: whether Parag’s leadership produces immediate improvements in middle-order tempo and finishing, and how the absence or inclusion of specific overseas players affects match rhythms. Will the franchise’s structured evaluation, which considered candidates like sandeep sharma, deliver the stability Sangakkara seeks, and can Chopra’s suggested balance translate into the kind of starts and finishes that change results?
