'He's Got Too Much As A Reward': Sanjay Manjarekar Scrutinises Riyan Parag Over His Captaincy At RR

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned the Rajasthan Royals' decision to appoint Riyan Parag as captain in IPL 2026, arguing that the move lacks cricketing logic. Manjrekar feels Parag's inconsistent displays with the bat do not justify such responsibility at this stage of a still-developing career.

The RR skipper needed 10 matches in IPL 2026 to record his first fifty and has repeatedly faced criticism from experts for not giving the boost to the batting lineup and leading from the front. Parag has recently come under more criticism as the Royals look to finish things in style and secure their place right at the top of the table.

Riyan Parag Rajasthan Royals Captaincy Call Under Scrutiny

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, speaking on Sportstar's Insight Edge podcast, openly challenged the reasoning behind Parag getting the job. "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."

The former Indian batter went further, arguing that the Rajasthan Royals may have rewarded Parag beyond performance. "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 on the Rajasthan Royals," Manjrekar added, while analysing the franchise's leadership calls.

Riyan Parag RR Journey

Parag joined Rajasthan Royals in 2019 and has now spent seven seasons with the franchise. Across these years, Parag averages 25.70 and has hit eight half-centuries, numbers that critics consider modest. His first experience as IPL captain came last year when Parag led in some matches during Sanju Samson's absence.

Before IPL 2026, Samson moved to the Chennai Super Kings, leaving Rajasthan with a leadership gap. The management reportedly interviewed four to five candidates ahead of this season. After that process, Rajasthan Royals installed Parag as full-time captain, a call that has split opinion among analysts watching the league closely.

Despite his concerns, Manjrekar also highlighted a quality that stands out in Parag's personality. "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."

Manjrekar felt that this belief appears genuine rather than forced. "So he tells me about someone who has this confidence, and it seems genuine. It doesn't seem to be a put-on," said Manjrekar, while noting that the same trait can sometimes spill into overconfidence for the Rajasthan Royals skipper during tense match situations.

Manjarekar Sees 'Overconfidence' In Parag's Batting

Manjrekar described a pattern he sees in Parag's batting. "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."

He suggested that this attacking method defines Parag. "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," Manjrekar said.

How Has IPL 2026 Been For Riyan Parag So Far?

Parag's most eye-catching innings this season came against Delhi Capitals, when the captain hammered 90 runs. Rajasthan Royals posted 226, but Delhi Capitals chased the target, leaving Parag's effort without reward in the result column. The knock still underlined why the franchise values Parag's ability to change games quickly.

After that Delhi match, Parag was asked about his individual form and external criticism. The Rajasthan Royals captain responded that Parag does not feel any need to prove anything to anyone. That response aligned with Manjrekar's remarks about Parag's strong self-belief, which continues to shape public perception of the young leader.

Across ten IPL 2026 matches so far, Parag has scored 207 runs at an average of 23. Rajasthan Royals currently sit fourth on the table and face the Gujarat Titans next on 9 May. How Parag manages his batting, captaincy, and public scrutiny could influence the team's push for a deeper run this season.