Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath criticized Rajasthan Royals for naming Riyan Parag as captain, despite having strong players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja available.
Parag had taken on leadership duties last season in place of Sanju Samson but did not make a strong impact with the bat. This decision has raised doubts about whether the franchise made the right choice in supporting the young all-rounder as captain.
Badrinath was straightforward in his comments, suggesting that Jaiswal would have been a better captaincy option given his experience and contributions to Indian Cricket.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal has represented India significantly and is the future of Indian cricket. He is already playing in Tests and ODIs. Choosing Riyan Parag over him is a mistake. Perhaps Jaiswal doesn’t have a family member who owns the team (sarcasm). I also wonder if Rajasthan Royals lured Jadeja from CSK with talks about captaincy, but that didn’t pan out,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.
Riyan Parag is seen as an exciting young talent in Indian domestic cricket. He can bat powerfully and also contributes with the ball, making him a valuable player.
‘Rajasthan Royals is my home’ – Riyan Parag on captaincy
The 24-year-old shared his thoughts about being appointed as captain for the upcoming 2026 season.
“Rajasthan Royals has been my home since my first day in the IPL. The franchise has supported my growth every season. Leading this team is very special, and I take this responsibility seriously. I look forward to collaborating with our coaches and leadership team to play smart and fearless cricket, aiming to make our fans proud,” Parag stated as quoted by RR.
Parag has played 83 matches in the IPL, scoring 1566 runs at a notable strike rate of over 140. He has also taken seven wickets, highlighting his all-round capabilities.
