Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag and Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane (PTI Photo) Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has launched a scathing attack on Riyan Parag, criticizing the Rajasthan Royals skipper for his disappointing returns with the bat in the ongoing IPL season.Despite Rajasthan Royals staying in the top four with four wins from six matches, concerns about Paraga’s form continue to grow. The right-winger struggled to contribute in a meaningful way, especially in crisis situations, and failed to lead the party through difficult phases. With Royals sliding to back-to-back defeats, their over-reliance on the top order – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal – along with No.3 Dhruv Jurel has become increasingly evident, exposing a fragile middle order.
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Matthew Hayden reacts after Gujarat Titans’ defeat against Mumbai IndiansSrikkanth did not hold back in his assessment, openly mocking Parag’s repeated failures and questioning his overall impact this season. In a scathing note, he even brought Ajinkya Rahane into the conversation, suggesting that the two batsmen are competing for the unwanted accolade of worst performer.“Parag, as usual, is only good for his stylish walks after doing nothing with bat and ball. There is a competition between him and Rahane to be the worst batsman. Parag has done well for one season and that’s it,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.Rahane, in comparison, has managed 152 runs from seven matches at a strike rate of 144.76, while Paraga’s struggles are reflected in his tally of just 61 runs at a strike rate of 122.At the other end of the table, Kolkata Knight Riders are languishing at the bottom with just one win from seven tournaments, while Rajasthan Royals are third.Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians resumed their campaign with a dominant 99-run win over Gujarat Titans. The emphatic victory could prove to be a turning point for the five-time champions, who were struggling for rhythm.Srikkanth backed Mumbai to a late surge, highlighting their history of delivering in high-pressure games. At the same time, he bluntly dismissed the chances of Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, declaring that both sides are effectively out of contention for the playoffs.“MI have the ability to hold on in big matches, which can push them into the playoffs all of a sudden. After this match, no one can write MI off. KKR and LSG are already eliminated of course. They will only be fighting for 9th vs 10th,” he added.Turning his attention to the clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, Srikkanth picked SRH as clear favourites. He also highlighted a major problem in Delhi’s batting setup when he questioned the use of Karun Nair at No.3.“SRH will be favourites. DC has problem No. 3. They are playing Karun Nair there. He is a Test player who plays T20,” Srikkanth said.
