Riyan Parag has 81 runs in seven games. How long can Rajasthan Royals look the other way?

Riyan Parag of Rajasthan Royals plays a shot during Match 32 of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026 between Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, India, on April 22, 2026. (CREIMAS)

A tally of 81 in seven outings can put anyone’s spot in the side in jeopardy, even if he’s the captain. One can safely assume, however, that Riyan Parag‘s position at Rajasthan Royals isn’t under immediate threat. It should be.

Royals have leaned heavily on their top three — the explosive opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, followed by Dhruv Jurel — and as long as they fired, the poor returns lower down were glossed over. But when the top order fails, someone has to step up. Parag has been distinctly unable to do that. He has been in the middle neither for a long time nor a good time. And he often has a problem against decent bowling.

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