Sanjay Manjrekar has raised sharp concerns over Riyan Parag’s appointment as Rajasthan Royals captain, questioning the cricketing rationale behind the decision even as the franchise remains in playoff contention during IPL 2026. The Royals currently occupy fourth place with 12 points from 10 matches, registering six wins and four defeats, but the leadership call has come under scrutiny amid Parag’s modest individual returns and broader inconsistency.
Captaincy decision draws scrutiny despite team position
Parag stepped into the full-time leadership role ahead of the season following Sanju Samson’s departure to Chennai Super Kings, with the franchise evaluating multiple candidates before settling on the 24-year-old. While the team has managed to stay within the top four, the decision continues to be debated given Parag’s limited track record of consistent performances across previous seasons.
Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast, Manjrekar said, “He is not one of your typical Indian players. He’s fit and just the way he walks around and everything struts around. But I would say, after the kind of performances I’ve seen over the years. It is something that I find a little strange that the Rajasthan Royals have backed him so much.”
Performance returns remain underwhelming
Parag’s numbers this season underline the concern around output relative to responsibility. Across 10 matches, he has scored 207 runs at an average of 23 with a strike rate of 143.75, including one half-century and a highest score of 90, alongside 16 boundaries and 12 sixes. That knock of 90 came in a high-scoring contest where the Royals failed to defend a total of 226, highlighting the gap between individual flashes and match-winning impact.
Manjrekar expanded on the leadership call, stating, “I mean, Sanju Samson captained them for a few years, and then he was removed, and Riyan Parag took over. I don’t know what happened there. But I don’t think from a cricketing point of view, it makes any sense at all. It’s a bit harsh to say this, but he’s just got too much as a reward. Having not really worked hard for those rewards. So it’s a very interesting case pertaining to the Rajasthan Royals.”
Confidence remains a defining trait
Despite the criticism, Parag’s self-belief has stood out as a consistent feature of his presence on the field. That trait has often shaped perceptions of his role within the side, particularly during phases where performances have not matched expectations.
Manjrekar noted, “What catches the eye about Riyan Parag is his unbelievable self-confidence. Even when he was not delivering, if you saw him in the field, the kind of stuff that he did. It was just almost arrogance for somebody who was struggling to, you know, fit in or deliver. So he tells me about someone who has this confidence, and it seems genuine. It doesn’t seem to be a put-on.”
Playing style raises further questions
Parag’s approach with the bat has frequently produced moments of high impact, but has also led to repeated dismissals while attempting aggressive strokes. This pattern has contributed to the broader debate around consistency and decision-making, particularly in the context of leading a franchise.
At the international level, Riyan Parag’s experience remains limited, having featured in just one ODI where he scored 15 runs at a strike rate of 115.38. In T20 internationals, he has played nine matches, scoring 106 runs with a highest score of 34, averaging 17.66 at a strike rate of 151.42.
Manjrekar added, “So when I see his overall career as well. You would seem he would have played numerous innings of 14 or 15 runs, where he would come in and hit a couple of cracking shots, and you would be blown away. And then the next body’s playing the same shot and getting out. That is his MO. That is how Riyan Parag generally plays: sensational shots, but I think somewhere the overconfidence, or whatever, just gets him to keep trying to play those shots. And because he mishits so many and gets out, he’s obviously not focusing on every attacking shot he plays. So he’s an interesting character. That is the captain, after all; that is something that I’ve never understood with the Rajasthan Royals.”
Off-field incident adds to scrutiny
The scrutiny around Parag has also extended beyond performances, with the batter fined 25 per cent of his match fee earlier in the season after being seen vaping inside the dressing room during a match. The incident added another layer to the conversation around leadership responsibility at a time when the franchise is navigating a competitive campaign.
With Rajasthan Royals holding onto a playoff position but facing ongoing questions around leadership and consistency, the coming fixtures are set to test whether the current structure can sustain its push toward the knockout stages.
