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For the second match in the playoffs, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) tonight at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. This match will have to be won at any cost, before this, former Team India batsman Subramaniam Badrinath called Ryan Parag the weak link of RR.
Rajasthan Royals have secured a place in the playoffs for the fourth time in the points table. In their final group stage match, the Riyan Parag-led side defeated Mumbai Indians to clinch the spot. The SRH vs RR match is expected to be another exciting one this season, but why did the former batsman call the Rajasthan captain a weak link?
Why is the captain himself the weak link of RR?
In terms of mainstays for the team, and obviously as a leader, Riyan Parag’s batting statistics are by no means attractive. The 24-year-old middle-order batsman Riyan Parag has so far scored 272 runs in 12 matches and as many innings at an average of 24.72 and an average strike rate of 152.80. In those 12 matches, the Royals captain registered half-centuries only twice in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
Along with batting, Parag also struggled with his fitness. He missed a few matches due to a hamstring injury and played RR’s final league stage game against Mumbai Indians before fully recovering from the injury. He looked uncomfortable while fielding. RR claimed an impressive 30-run win against Mumbai Indians and sealed their place in the play-offs. However, Parag himself scored only 14 runs with the bat.
Badrinath points to Riyan Parag’s struggle with batting and injury
Due to poor batting and injury concerns, S Badrinath has mentioned Riyan Parag as the weak link of the Royals. But that doesn’t completely take him out of the equation, as there is a saying in the game: beware the injured player in big matches.
Badrinath said on Star Sports, “To be honest, he is the weak link for Rajasthan Royals. His batting form has been poor throughout the season. And he has been struggling with injury in the last two matches, which is clearly visible. He is unable to bend on the field. So he is struggling with fitness and form. But he can perform well at the right time. Be careful of injured players in big matches. It is a famous saying in the game.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal is also not in peak form
Yashasvi Jaiswal is another batsman of the team whose recent form is not good. The opening batsman made a strong start to the season, but could not sustain it in the latter part.
Badrinath said on Jaiswal, “His form is worrying if you compare it with other top players. But he has done well, and this is not his worst season. But because Vaibhav Suryavanshi is at the other end, Jaiswal is also being judged on Suryavanshi’s standards.”
He said, “In any other country, Jaiswal would be in the national T20I team. It is only because he is in India, he is not getting opportunities. But in the big matches, he can be expected to perform well.”
Read more: Former BCCI selector backs Vaibhav Suryavanshi to dominate IPL 2026 eliminator
