New Delhi, March 23 (NationPress) Former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has ignited a conversation regarding the selection of Riyan Parag as the captain of Rajasthan Royals for the 2026 season, expressing that he is “treated like royalty” within the team.

During a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth indicated that Parag may have received preferential treatment from the franchise. He remarked that this choice was unexpected, particularly in light of the presence of more seasoned players in the roster. Although the franchise has the authority to make such decisions, he emphasized that Parag seems to hold significant value, despite his fluctuating performance.

“It's well known how he ascended to the captaincy. That is their prerogative, but he is treated like a monarch there. Parag did not have a stellar season last year, yet the year before, he excelled. Last season, he did not make a significant impact,” he commented.

Parag was appointed as captain following the trade of Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings for a hefty sum of Rs 18 crore. This deal also saw Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran joining the Royals before the mini-auction last December.

Srikkanth further questioned the exclusion of other potential leaders like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and the newly acquired Jadeja, especially given Parag’s inconsistent track record. While the 24-year-old showed potential in previous seasons, his last campaign lacked the same impact, even though he had once delivered an impressive season.

In the previous season, Parag stepped in to lead the Royals during Samson's injury, participating in eight matches but securing only two victories. Nevertheless, the franchise has continued to back him as their long-term captain.

Parag accumulated 393 runs with an impressive strike rate of 166.52 last season and made IPL history by hitting six consecutive sixes in a single innings against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025.

Since being picked as a teenager in 2017, Parag has been a reliable player for the Royals, amassing 1566 runs in 84 matches, including seven half-centuries. However, inconsistency continues to be a major concern.

As for Rajasthan’s outlook for the upcoming season, Srikkanth provided a cautious but fair assessment. He acknowledged that the team has the capability to surprise stronger competitors but warned against their propensity for underachievement. He identified the opening duo of Jaiswal and Suryavanshi as a critical asset, highlighting their capacity to secure wins. However, he ultimately concluded that while the team is competitive, it lacks the consistency and depth required to clinch the championship and is uncertain about making it to the playoffs.

“It's a solid team. They can upset stronger opponents. However, they also have a tendency to implode. If two players from their top five perform well, they can dominate the opposition. The Jaiswal-Suryavanshi opening pair is a massive advantage. They can win games single-handedly. Thus, while they are a good team, they are not a formidable one. They are merely a 50-50 chance for playoff qualification,” he remarked.