Rajasthan Royals’ season in IPL 2026 has looked steadier than many expected, but former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar remains unconvinced about Riyan Parag being the franchise’s captain. The right-handed batter, aged 24, has not yet delivered the kind of impact that typically justifies a leadership tag in a high-pressure T20 setup. Manjrekar pointed to both Parag’s uneven run-scoring so far and a recent off-field controversy that has put him in the spotlight.
Quick facts
- Riyan Parag took 10 matches to register his first IPL 2026 half-century.
- He was fined 25% of his match fee after being caught on camera vaping in the dressing room.
- Parag has been with Rajasthan Royals since 2019 and is in his seventh season with the franchise.
- In IPL 2026 (after 10 matches), Parag has 207 runs at an average of 23.
- Rajasthan are fourth in the points table.
- Next match: Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans on Saturday, May 9.
Manjrekar argued that Parag’s promotion as captain does not add up from a cricketing perspective, especially given how inconsistent his batting returns have been. Parag’s IPL run tally for the Royals has included an average of 25.70 and just eight half-centuries across his overall contributions. The former batter said it feels like the franchise has backed Parag more than his performances have warranted.
Parag’s first brush with captaincy in the IPL came last year, when he led Rajasthan in some games during Sanju Samson’s absence. Ahead of IPL 2026, Samson moved on from the Royals to join Chennai Super Kings, creating a leadership opening that Rajasthan chose to fill with Parag. Manjrekar also noted that the team went through interviews with multiple players—reportedly four to five—before selecting Parag as the captain.
Despite that process, Manjrekar said he cannot understand the decision once he looks at the results. He framed the situation as unusual, suggesting there appears to be a mismatch between the reward of the captaincy and the work Parag has put in to earn it on-field. In his view, Rajasthan’s faith in Parag has been too strong for a stretch that still lacks consistency.
In the same discussion, the former India batter added that Parag’s most noticeable trait is his self-belief. Manjrekar described it as “unbelievable” and suggested that even when Parag was not producing with the bat, his approach in the field stood out. He also hinted that the confidence sometimes slips into arrogance, particularly for a player who is still trying to settle into a reliable rhythm.
Self-confidence or overreach?
Manjrekar explained that Parag often looks capable of sudden, high-impact bursts—times when he arrives and plays a couple of sharp shots that catch the eye. However, he believes the same aggressive mindset can lead to repeated dismissals when the plan is executed too frequently or with too little caution. The result, according to Manjrekar, is a pattern: sensational shot-making followed by getting out, with overconfidence pushing him to keep hunting the same type of scoring moments.
He also suggested that this cycle affects how Parag concentrates on each attacking attempt. Because the risk keeps returning him to the pavilion, Manjrekar feels Parag may not be focusing on every strike as precisely as a captain should—especially in a format where small margins decide games. That, he said, is part of what makes Parag an intriguing figure within the Royals setup, despite his leadership role.
Manjrekar’s comments came after Parag’s recent outing against Delhi Capitals, where he scored 90. While Parag’s innings was a positive highlight, it did not change the outcome, as Delhi Capitals chased down Rajasthan’s target of 226. After reaching the 90 mark, Parag was questioned about how he has been performing across the tournament so far, and he responded that he does not feel the need to prove anything to anyone.
In total, across the 10 matches Parag has played in IPL 2026 so far, he has made 207 runs at an average of 23. Rajasthan, currently placed fourth in the points table, will look to build momentum in their next outing. The Royals face Gujarat Titans on Saturday, May 9.
