IPL 2026: Warning sounded for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for second season blues
Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji expressed surprise at Rajasthan Royals' decision to name Riyan Parag captain for IPL 2026. He called the move a gamble, noting the presence of more seasoned players. Balaji believes Riyan's leadership will be a learning opportunity under coach Kumar Sangakkara.
He also stressed the importance of consistency for young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji expressed surprise at Rajasthan Royals’ decision to hand the captaincy to Riyan Parag for IPL 2026, noting the presence of more seasoned campaigners such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, and England all-rounder Sam Curran. Speaking to JioStar, Balaji called the move “kind of a gamble” but acknowledged the potential positives under the guidance of head coach Kumar Sangakkara. “Captaining in the IPL is not just about on-field decisions, it’s also about managing the dressing room.
Your voice and trust need to be earned. In that sense, it’s a double-edged sword. With Sangakkara’s guidance, though, it could be a valuable learning opportunity for Riyan.
If he balances his performance with leadership, it could really help him,” Balaji explained. He also highlighted the importance of consistency for young talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. “We’ve seen the kind of talent Vaibhav has.