'Riyan Parag is just playing because he is the captain' - India legend slams RR captain for casual batting against RCB

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has launched a scathing attack at Riyan Parag for his casual batting approach that cost Rajasthan Royals a wicket during their run chase against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 16 of the Indian Premier League 2026. Despite RR's comfortable win on Friday, Srikkanth has critiqued the way their captain batted at the Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati.

Parag got out in the tenth over, as the hosts required only 48 runs to win off the next 62 deliveries. However, he played a rash shot, looking to go for the big hit, and succumbed to Josh Hazlewood for 3 off five deliveries. Srikkanth believes that there was no need to play such a shot, as Dhruv Jurel was already well-set at the crease and was striking the ball nicely.

"Parag is just playing because he is the captain. Riyan Parag got out casually in the name of style. He has played so many seasons and done well only a couple of times. Today, he got out because of arrogance. He could have shown responsibility and gotten himself back to form, also," Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel.

"Jurel played an effortless knock. Yet, he matched Sooryavanshi shot for shot. He played some extraordinary shots. And Jurel at No.3 is a big thing for them. But they should have won the match in the 16th over itself," Srikkanth added.

I urge selectors to fast-track Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Srikkanth

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the star of the run chase for his 78 off 26 balls. Srikkanth, a former selector himself, has urged the current batch of Indian team selectors to hand the youngster a cap as soon as the Men in Blue play their next T20I series. The Chennai-born wants the BCCI to hand Sooryavanshi a rope of at least 15 games, out of which the 15-year-old will win them more than half of the matches.

"I urge the selectors to fast-track him (Sooryavanshi) to the T20 side. He should play India's next series. They should tell him beforehand that he won't be dropped for 15 matches. Give him 15 innings straight, and he will win eight matches singlehandedly for you. He left the RCB bowlers clueless. Such was his impact," the former cricketer expressed.