IPL 2026: Riyan Parag brutally bashed as former India player Minces no Words after RR's latest defeat

Former India player Virender Sehwag has urged Rajasthan Royals to consider Riyan Parag's place in the side.

RR posted a formidable 228 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium but crumbled as SRH chased it down with nine balls remaining, thanks to fireworks from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Sehwag zeroed in on Parag's tactical missteps, particularly the underuse of key spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi, who each bowled just one over. Parag turned to eight different bowlers, including himself, during SRH's chase, but Sehwag argued RR robbed their frontline spinners of a chance to regroup after costly starts.

"Ravi Bishnoi bowled one over, and Ravindra Jadeja also bowled only one over. Neither of them are bad. They were not given a chance to bounce back after their first over. Sometimes they git hit, but you should atleast try them out for a second over. Who will get you the wickets if not them? Part-timers only come in thinking that how can he get through the over. Riyan Parag will have to think about his captaincy, and the management will have to think whether he is the right captain for them," Virender Sehwag said.

Parag's own form remains a concern, with a golden duck-like seven off nine balls against SRH adding to his IPL 2026 tally of 88 runs in eight games (strike-rate 112.82, average 12.57). Sehwag linked this slump directly to on-field leadership lapses.

"If I am a captain, and I am not scoring runs, 100 percent it will affect my captaincy. I will be thinking about my runs, and also thinking that Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 100 runs off 36 balls, and even though I am senior and experienced, why am I not scoring runs like that?" the former India player added.

The Royals have lost three of their last four matches and are now currently placed 4th in the points table with 10 points in eight matches.