Pressure, trolling, captaincy: Riyan Parag faces his biggest IPL yet
Riyan Parag steps into IPL 2026 as Rajasthan Royals captain amid intense scrutiny and past trolling. Backed by the franchise after a rigorous selection process, the 24-year-old faces a defining season. Inspired by Hardik Pandya’s journey and focused on team success, Parag aims to silence critics and revive his chances of returning to the Indian team.
NEW DELHI: Riyan Parag is only 24. The Rajasthan Royals captain has played just a handful of games for India and still finds himself on the fringes of national selection. Yet, he remains one of the most trolled cricketers in the country, enduring relentless scrutiny every IPL season without respite.
“I was here when I was 17, so it means a lot to be in this position now. The journey has had many ups and downs, probably more downs than ups. I feel like I have seen everything a teenager can go through in cricket, and I have gone through it all.
But I am really proud of myself for coming through it," Parag said at the pre-tournament press conference in Jaipur. This season, the spotlight will be even harsher. Yes, he stepped in to lead Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 when Sanju Samson was injured.
But now, the responsibility is his in full measure. Parag has been handed the captaincy ahead of names like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and the vastly experienced Ravindra Jadeja, a decision that has only amplified the noise around him. "He has gone through a lot.
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