'Seen very few players criticised like Parag' - Kumar Sangakkara

Riyan Parag has scored only 272 runs in IPL 2026 at a strike rate of 152.80 and average of 24.72, but his confidence in his maiden season as full-time captain has impressed the Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Kumar Sangakkara. After RR beat Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday to qualify for the playoffs, Sangakkara backed Parag as "the right guy to lead the franchise". Sangakkara stated in Mumbai, "I think I've seen very few players who have been criticized like Riyan has for about seven years now." "Ever since I came to the franchise, there are always people who like Riyan, but there are a lot of people who didn't really like him, especially on social media. However, that is the modern game's reality. "When we decided to offer Riyan the captaincy, he is the absolute right guy to lead this franchise. I have no doubt in my mind. Additionally, he will develop, as we have observed. He will mature. He will have a better understanding of himself. He will get a better understanding of his players." Parag has scored only two fifties this season after succeeding Sanju Samson as RR captain. He attributed his lack of runs to a "tough phase" he was going through personally. He was also penalised after being caught vaping during the game against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh. Parag returned on Sunday despite the fact that he "was not supposed to play" and made an eight-ball 14 in RR's total of 205 for 8, despite missing the previous game due to a hamstring injury. They eventually beat MI by 30 runsto make the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Sangakkara praised Parag's leadership in IPL 2026, stating, "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." "I think he's captained exceptionally well. And when he's in that dressing room, he's got the respect of all the players and the staff. That's all you can ask for. "Whatever happens in the next few years, I think it will be really interesting to build a relationship with Riyan and the franchise, really help him grow as a captain, a batter, and a person, and keep supporting him. He's a very, very good young man. Riyan Parag may not always be what you think it is on the outside. He is a lovely, soft, gentle, really determined, smart young man. He has also gained a lot of knowledge over the past few years. And he'll continue on that journey. I'm very, very proud of him."