‘Riyan Parag and Ajinkya Rahane in race for worst batter’: Srikkanth drops hammer with savage remarks

Srikkanth didn’t mince his words while tearing into Riyan Parag, taking a swipe at his repeated failures this season and questioning his impact.

Updated on: Apr 21, 2026, 16:06:45 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth came down hard on Riyan Parag for his underwhelming run with the bat in the ongoing IPL season. While Rajasthan Royals have managed to stay in the top four, their skipper’s form has raised serious concerns. The right-hander has failed to deliver impactful knocks, especially in pressure situations, and hasn’t stepped up when the team needed him most. The Royals have now lost their last two matches, with Parag unable to shoulder responsibility during tough phases. Their growing dependence on openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, along with No. 3 Dhruv Jurel, has started to hurt them, as the middle order continues to falter and derail their momentum.

Riyan Parag and Ajinkya Rahane have been going through lean patches. (ANI Picture Service)

Srikkanth didn’t mince his words while tearing into Parag, taking a swipe at his repeated failures this season and questioning his impact. In a brutal assessment, Srikkanth even dragged Ajinkya Rahane into the debate, claiming there’s an ongoing 'competition'between the two for the unwanted tag of the 'worst batter'.

"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 has scored 152 runs from seven matches this season at a strike rate of 144.76, while Parag has struggled, managing just 61 runs at a strike rate of 122.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians registered a commanding 99-run win over Gujarat Titans to get their campaign back on track. The emphatic victory should restore much-needed confidence in the five-time champions, something that had been lacking over the past few matches.

Also Read - Ashish Nehra ‘energy god’, Shubman Gill’s success no secret: Jason Holder not losing sleep over Gujarat Titans’ blip

“KKR and LSG will only fight for 9th vs 10th”

Srikkanth backed MIs to script a late turnaround, insisting their knack for stepping up in big games keeps them firmly in the playoff race, while also bluntly ruling out Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants from contention.

"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," the former India batter said.

He further weighed in on the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals clash, backing SRH as clear favourites while pointing out a glaring issue in DC’s batting line-up, particularly at No. 3 with Karun Nair under scrutiny.

"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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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