Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned Rajasthan Royals’ decision to appoint Riyan Parag as captain for IPL 2026, saying the move “makes no sense” given the batsman’s inconsistent performances over the years.
While Rajasthan have managed a decent campaign so far this season, Manjrekar questioned the franchise’s continued support for the 24-year-old, whose performances with the bat have remained inconsistent despite being with the side since 2019.
Parag also found himself embroiled in controversy last week after he was caught vaping in the dressing room during Rajasthan’s match against Punjab Kings. The incident led to the youngster being fined 25 per cent of his match fees.
Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast, Manjrekar said Parago’s personality and confidence always stood out, but admitted he struggled to understand the level of trust Rajasthan had placed in him over the years.
“He’s not one of your typical Indian players. He’s fit and just the way he walks and defies everything around him. But I’d say after the performances I’ve seen over the years. There’s something I find a bit strange that Rajasthan Royals are backing him so much,” Manjrekar said.
The former India batsman went a step further by questioning the Rajasthan management’s transition from Sanju Samson to Parag.
“I mean, Sanju Samson was their captain 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 it makes any sense from a cricketing point of view,” he said.
“It’s a bit cruel to say this, but he got too much for his reward. With the fact that he didn’t really work hard for those rewards. So it’s a very interesting case regarding Rajasthan Royals,” he added.
However, Manjrekar acknowledged that Parago’s commanding confidence is what separates him from many young cricketers, although he believes it can sometimes work against the batter.
“What’s striking about Riyan Parag is his incredible confidence. Even if he didn’t deliver, if you saw him in the field, the kind of things he did. It was almost arrogance for someone who tried to fit in or deliver,” Manjrekar said.
“So looking at his overall career as well, it would seem like he’d play numerous 14- or 15-run innings where he’d come in and hit a couple of good shots and you’d be blown away. And then the next body plays the same shot and gets out. That’s his MO,” he added.
According to Manjrekar, Parag’s tendency to continue playing high-risk shots despite repeated dismissals reflects the overconfidence that has defined much of his IPL career so far.
“That’s how Riyan Parag generally plays: sensational shots, but I think somewhere that overconfidence or whatever makes him keep trying to play those shots. And because he’s making so many mistakes and getting out, he’s obviously not concentrating on every attacking shot he plays,” Manjrekar said.
“So he is an interesting character. He is the captain after all; that is something I never understood about Rajasthan Royals,” he added.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
05 May 2026 18:13 IST
