Kamal Ghorui
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has launched a scathing attack on Riyan Parag, criticising the Rajasthan Royals skipper for his disappointing returns with the bat in the ongoing IPL season. Despite Rajasthan Royals holding on to a top-four spot with four wins in six matches, concerns around Parag’s form have continued to grow. The right-hander has struggled to make meaningful contributions, particularly in crunch situations, and has failed to guide the side during difficult phases. With the Royals slipping to back-to-back defeats, their over-reliance on the top order — Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal — along with No. 3 Dhruv Jurel has become increasingly evident, exposing a fragile middle order. Srikkanth did not hold back in his assessment, openly mocking Parag’s repeated failures and questioning his overall impact this season. In a sharp remark, he even brought Ajinkya Rahane into the conversation, suggesting both batters are competing for the unwanted distinction of being the poorest performer. “Parag, as usual, is fit only for his stylish walks after doing nothing with bat and ball. There is a competition between him and Rahane as to who’s the worst batter. Parag did well one season, and that’s it,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. Rahane, in comparison, has managed 152 runs from seven matches at a strike rate of 144.76, while Parag’s struggles are reflected in his tally of just 61 runs at a strike rate of 122. At the other end of the table, Kolkata Knight Riders are languishing at the bottom with just one win in seven outings, while Rajasthan Royals sit third. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians reignited their campaign with a dominant 99-run victory over Gujarat Titans. The emphatic win could prove to be a turning point for the five-time champions, who had been struggling for rhythm. Srikkanth backed Mumbai to mount a late surge, highlighting their history of delivering in high-pressure games. At the same time, he bluntly dismissed the chances of Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, claiming both sides are effectively out of the playoff race. “MI have the ability to do well in big matches, which can suddenly vault them to the playoffs. After this match, there is no way anyone can write MI off. KKR and LSG, of course, are already knocked out. They’ll only fight for 9th vs 10th,” he added. Turning his attention to the clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, Srikkanth picked SRH as clear favourites. He also flagged a major concern in Delhi’s batting setup, questioning the use of Karun Nair at No. 3. “SRH will be favourites. DC have a No.3 problem. They are playing Karun Nair there. He’s a Test match player playing T20,” said Srikkanth.
