Rajasthan Royals are preparing for IPL 2026 with a new batting setup. One major change for the team is the departure of Sanju Samson, who has moved to Chennai Super Kings.
With Samson no longer part of the squad, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to take on greater responsibility at the top of the order. The young batter will likely carry more of the run-scoring load for Rajasthan Royals this season.
Former RR captain Faf du Plessis has shared his thoughts on how this change could affect Jaiswal and the team.
Extra Responsibility for Yashasvi Jaiswal
Faf du Plessis explained that Sanju Samson played an important role in supporting Jaiswal in previous seasons.
Samson often provided stability in the batting order while Jaiswal played his natural attacking game. With Samson now gone, Jaiswal may have to take more responsibility for building innings as well as scoring quickly.
Du Plessis believes this shift could be a learning phase for the young opener as he adapts to a more demanding role.
New Opening Combination for RR
For IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals are expected to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
This new partnership will aim to give the team strong starts at the beginning of each innings.
Expected RR Opening Pair for IPL 2026
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Opener |
Both players will need to work together to set the pace for the team’s batting.
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Du Plessis on Jaiswal’s Playing Style
Du Plessis believes Jaiswal should continue playing his natural attacking style despite the added pressure.
He said it would not make sense for the team to change Jaiswal’s approach because aggressive batting is one of his biggest strengths.
Instead, the focus should be on allowing him to play freely while gradually adapting to the added responsibility.
What Jaiswal Needs to Do in IPL 2026
Jaiswal’s challenge will be to balance aggression with consistency. He must continue scoring quickly while also helping Rajasthan Royals build stable innings.
Key Expectations From Jaiswal
| Area | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Batting role | Lead the scoring at the top |
| Approach | Maintain attacking style |
| Consistency | Deliver regular runs |
| Leadership with bat | Set strong starts for RR |
If he performs well, he could become the main batting pillar for Rajasthan Royals this season.
Rajasthan Royals are entering IPL 2026 with a slightly different batting structure. Without Sanju Samson, the team will depend more on young players like Jaiswal to guide the batting lineup.
The new opening partnership with Vaibhav Suryavanshi is expected to bring energy and aggressive starts.
How well Jaiswal handles the extra pressure could play a major role in RR’s performance during the season.
