Sangakkara: ‘Seen very few players criticised like Parag’ – RR Leadership Backed

Standing Firm Behind a Young Leader

In the high-pressure environment of the Indian Premier League, criticism is often a constant companion for young stars. However, Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Kumar Sangakkara believes that Riyan Parag has faced an unprecedented level of scrutiny. Speaking after his team secured a playoff spot with a victory over the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer did not mince his words regarding his captain’s character and development.

Sangakkara remarked, ‘Sangakkara: ‘Seen very few players criticised like Parag”, highlighting that the young batter has been a target of intense social media chatter for roughly seven years. Despite the noise, the RR management remains steadfast in their belief that he is the right individual to lead the franchise forward.

The Growth of Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag has endured a challenging maiden season as a full-time captain. While his statistics—272 runs at an average of 24.72 and a strike rate of 152.80—might not jump off the page, his leadership qualities have left a profound impression on the coaching staff. Sangakkara emphasized that Parag is still evolving, noting, ‘He will grow. He will mature. He will understand himself a lot more.’ This perspective reflects a long-term investment in the player’s potential, rather than a short-term focus on raw numbers.

The journey has not been without personal hurdles for Parag, who has been open about experiencing a ‘tough phase’ personally. Furthermore, he faced disciplinary scrutiny earlier in the season regarding off-field conduct. Despite battling a hamstring injury that nearly sidelined him for the crucial clash against Mumbai, Parag showed grit by returning to the pitch, contributing a valuable 14 runs off eight balls to help RR reach a competitive total of 205 for 8.

Leadership and Dressing Room Respect

Beyond the statistics, Sangakkara points to the intangible aspects of leadership that Parag brings to the Rajasthan Royals. The coach noted that Parag commands the respect of both the players and the support staff within the dressing room. ‘If you look at the calls he makes as captain, the confidence with which he drives himself, almost on one foot sometimes to come and play, there’s a huge amount of positivity,’ Sangakkara added. It is this resilience and determination that the management hopes to cultivate as they build a future identity for the franchise.

Strategic Flexibility with the Impact Player Rule

The conversation also shifted toward the tactical nuances of the IPL 2026 season, particularly the management of the Impact Player rule. Sangakkara provided insight into why the team chose to promote Jofra Archer to bat at No. 7 against Mumbai, explaining that such decisions are carefully calculated to balance bowling and batting resources.

‘Today, if we had pushed another batter, we would have had to bowl four of Dasun Shanaka,’ Sangakkara explained, highlighting the difficulty of balancing a limited number of front-line bowlers on specific pitches. The coaching staff prefers to extend their resources as much as possible, only turning to secondary options when the game situation dictates it. The successful integration of players like Dasun Shanaka and the managed usage of Ravindra Jadeja—who is currently dealing with an injury—demonstrates a sophisticated approach to squad management.

Looking Ahead

As the Rajasthan Royals head into the playoffs, the focus remains on supporting Parag as he balances the pressures of captaincy with his personal development as a batter. Sangakkara remains fiercely protective and proud of his charge, describing him as a ‘lovely, soft, gentle, really determined, smart young man.’ For the Royals, the goal is clear: provide the support system necessary to help Parag navigate the complexities of modern cricket while continuing to build a cohesive team culture that can compete at the highest level of the game.

Ultimately, the faith shown by the leadership is a testament to their belief that Parag’s best days are still ahead of him, regardless of the external criticism he has endured thus far.