Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has raised serious questions over the Rajasthan Royals’ decision to appoint Riyan Parag as captain for IPL 2026, stating that the move “makes no sense” from a cricketing standpoint. While Rajasthan have managed a fairly competitive season so far, Manjrekar believes the franchise’s prolonged backing of Parag remains puzzling, especially given the batter’s inconsistency since making his IPL debut in 2019.
The criticism comes at a time when Parag’s leadership and performance are both under scrutiny. The 24-year-old also found himself in controversy recently after being caught vaping in the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings, an incident that resulted in a 25 per cent match fee fine.
While the off-field issue added to the spotlight, Manjrekar’s concerns are more rooted in cricketing logic and team strategy. Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast, Manjrekar acknowledged Parag’s confidence and personality but admitted he struggles to understand the level of trust the franchise has placed in him over the years.
ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Likely To Miss MI vs RCB Clash In Raipur Amid Fitness Concerns
“He is not one of your typical Indian players. He’s fit and has a certain swagger about him,” Sanjay Manjrekar said. “But based on the performances I’ve seen over the years, it’s quite surprising that Rajasthan Royals have backed him so strongly.”
The former India batter also questioned the leadership shift from Sanju Samson to Parag, suggesting that the transition lacked clear cricketing justification.
“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 from a cricketing point of view, it doesn’t make much sense,” he added.
Manjrekar went on to suggest that Parag may have been rewarded beyond what his performances justify, calling it an “interesting case” in team management. Despite his criticism, Manjrekar admitted that Parag’s self-belief is exceptional and sets him apart from many young players. However, he pointed out that this confidence can sometimes spill into overconfidence, impacting decision-making at the crease.
“He plays some sensational shots, but there’s a pattern — a few eye-catching strokes followed by a dismissal attempting the same shot,” Sanjay Manjrekar explained. According to him, Parag’s tendency to persist with high-risk strokeplay without adapting has been a recurring issue throughout his IPL career. “That is how he generally plays. But I think the overconfidence leads him to keep attempting those shots without full control,” he noted.
ALSO READ: Axar Patel Admits DC Missed Kuldeep Yadav’s Impact After Another Costly Defeat
As Rajasthan Royals continue their IPL 2026 campaign, Parag’s captaincy and performances will remain under the microscope, with debates around leadership decisions unlikely to fade anytime soon.
