IPL 2026: 'He is just there for style and does nothing else' - Former Indian opener lashes out at RR skipper Riyan Parag

Published - 14 Apr 2026, 15:56 IST | Updated - 14 Apr 2026, 15:56 IST

Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth has pointed scathing criticism at Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Riyan Parag after their 57-run loss against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Riyan was dismissed for just four runs as SRH found themselves reeling at 9/5 in the powerplay chasing 217. He has scored just 49 runs in five matches, but much of it is attributed to his late entry points due to their firing top-order.

Srikkanth questioned his decision not to bowl Ravindra Jadeja against the Sunrisers, and the rationale that Riyan provided regarding the left-hander Ishan Kishan being on strike at the time.

"He's only there for style. As usual, he did nothing with the bat and spoke at the post-match presentation. He's just there for style and does nothing else. He doesn't bowl Jadeja an over and then offers an explanation that a left-hander was playing. Is there some rule that a left-arm spinner can't bowl to a left-hander? It's absurd," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

The Royals conceded 216/6 after electing to field. Jofra Archer had given them a brilliant start by dismissing Abhishek Sharma on the first ball of the innings. Ishan Kishan then launched an onslaught as he finished with a 44-ball 91. Heinrich Klaasen’s 26-ball 40 gave the Sunrisers vital runs in the back-end before debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain ran riot, picking up four wickets apiece as the Royals were bundled out for 159.

Srikkanth singled out Royals bowlers Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande and Ravi Bishnoi, who were taken all around the park by the Sunrisers batters. Bishnoi, who has been the Royals’ best bowler this season, went wicketless and conceded 35 runs in three overs. Deshpande and Sandeep gave away 55 and 52 runs respectively in their four overs, despite picking up one wicket apiece.

"The 11 overs between Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, and Ravi Bishnoi went for 142 runs. That's where the match was over. Wherever Sandeep Sharma bowled, they smashed him, and Deshpande was a total failure. Suddenly, RR also has to start thinking about their bowling combination. If they bowl like this, they'll receive a thrashing," said Srikkanth.

The Rajasthan Royals now have a break of six days, after which they take on the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 19 at the Eden Gardens.