Rajasthan Royals have made a strong start to IPL 2026, placing third in the standings after winning five of their first seven fixtures. Behind the team’s momentum is Riyan Parag, who has helped bring out the best in the Royals’ batting unit and overall balance as an all-round leader on the field.
Still, there is one concern hovering over RR’s title push: the form of their captain. In all seven matches so far, Parag has struggled to produce a big impact with the bat, failing to spark the scoreboard in the way the franchise would like from a skipper.
Quick facts
- Rajasthan Royals are third in IPL 2026 after five wins from seven matches.
- Riyan Parag has scored 81 runs in seven games.
- Parag’s batting average is 13.50, with a strike rate of 117.39.
- His highest score is 20, made against Lucknow Super Giants.
- Ahead of the clash versus Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, Parag received support from head coach Kumar Sangakkara.
The 24-year-old’s current numbers read 81 runs across seven outings, at an average of 13.50 and a strike rate of 117.39. His top score so far—20—came in the match against Lucknow Super Giants, leaving plenty of room for improvement as the tournament moves deeper into its schedule.
Sangakkara backs the captain
Before Saturday’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Parag was given a vote of confidence by Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara. The former Sri Lanka captain suggested that the batter’s process has been positive, even if the runs have not fully arrived yet.
Sangakkara said Parag is “batting really well,” adding that good contact doesn’t always translate into immediate scoring. He noted that the bigger concern would have been if Parag were not hitting the ball well at all, but felt the evidence points to improvement in the way the innings are being played.
He further explained that what Parag needs now is continuity—stitching together a few more runs so he can build a platform to attack later in an innings. Sangakkara also highlighted the franchise’s backing for the captain, stressing that the Royals support Parag fully and are encouraged by how he has embraced the responsibilities of leadership.
The coach pointed to Parag’s captaincy in the previous match, describing him as having been effective in the role. In Sangakkara’s view, Parag will keep learning from pressure situations and should grow stronger as the tournament demands more from him.
Why Parag was chosen
Sangakkara also addressed why the management opted for Parag as captain in the first place. He said the key factor was the youngster’s steep learning curve—learning from others, but just as importantly, from his own experiences.
He revealed that the captaincy decision was influenced by how Parag has handled pressure from the beginning of his RR journey. Sangakkara noted that Parag has often been in the spotlight, including being frequently featured across the team’s social media, which naturally brings attention—and expectations—along with it.
To explain Parag’s rise and the attention around him, Sangakkara described an “aura” that he believes the youngster carries. He added that Parag has been seen as an exciting young cricketer and even joked about his appearance, while underlining the broader point: such visibility can create an unfair weight for a young player.
Ultimately, Sangakkara argued that Parag has learned from those experiences and is better equipped to handle the pressure that comes with being both a standout talent and a young leader for Rajasthan Royals.
