Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara and Chennai Super Kings’ Stephen Fleming provided insights on team strategy, leadership decisions, and early challenges ahead of the IPL season opener. The spotlight for Rajasthan is on Riyan Parag being appointed as captain after Sanju Samson’s departure. Sangakkara explained that the decision was made after a thorough evaluation process involving multiple candidates, including Sandeep Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. Riyan was chosen for his maturity, self-reflection, and clarity of thought. Sangakkara also addressed last season’s middle-order struggles and mentioned the team’s focus on immediate impact.
For Chennai, Fleming dismissed the notion that the opening match signifies a transition phase without M.S. Dhoni, emphasizing Dhoni’s continued involvement and strong influence on the team. Fleming confirmed that Dewald Brevis would be sidelined due to a side strain but expressed confidence in the squad’s youth and Indian talent. Despite the setback, he believes the team is energized and focused on a strong start to the season.
Overall, both coaches are optimistic about their respective teams’ prospects and are looking forward to the season opener. Published on Mar 29, 2026.
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