RR need to think if Riyan Parag is right captain: Sehwag's brutal take after SRH loss

Virender Sehwag questioned Riyan Parag's captaincy after RR's loss to SRH on Saturday, April 26, saying the team management would need to introspect and decide whether he is the right choice to lead the side. Sehwag's criticism came after RR failed to defend 228 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, with SRH chasing down the target with nine balls to spare.

RR vs SRH, IPL 2026: Highlights | Scorecard

Sehwag said Parag's tactical decisions were a major issue, pointing to the limited use of frontline spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi, who bowled only one over each. He also said Parag's poor run with the bat this season could be affecting the way he is leading the team.

Parag used eight bowling options, including himself, during the innings, but Sehwag felt RR did not give their main spin bowlers enough time to recover after expensive first overs. Jadeja conceded 11 runs in his only over, while Bishnoi went for 16. Sehwag said both bowlers should have been given another over and that Parag would need to think about his decisions as captain going forward.

"Ravi Bishnoi bowled one over, and Ravindra Jadeja also bowled only one over. Neither of them are bad. They were not given a chance to bounce back after their first over. Sometimes they git hit, but you should atleast try them out for a second over. Who will get you the wickets if not them? Part-timers only come in thinking that how can he get through the over. Riyan Parag will have to think about his captaincy, and the management will have to think whether he is the right captain for them," Virender Sehwag said.

PARAG'S STRUGGLES WITH THE BAT

Parag's struggles with the bat also continued against SRH, as he was dismissed for seven off nine balls. In the IPL 2026 season, the RR skipper has scored 88 runs from eight matches at a strike-rate of 112.82 and an average of 12.57. Sehwag said that if a captain is not scoring runs, it affects decision-making on the field.

"If I am a captain, and I am not scoring runs, 100 percent it will affect my captaincy. I will be thinking about my runs, and also thinking that Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 100 runs off 36 balls, and even though I am senior and experienced, why am I not scoring runs like that?" said Sehwag.

RR now play their next match against unbeaten PBKS on Tuesday, April 28.

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