- April 25, 2025
If you’ve stuck with the IPL this season and followed the Rajasthan Royals, you’ll have had at least one moment to think, what’s going on with Riyan Parag? After a blistering season last year, the expectations were high this year. And then there’s the slight twist of him being made captain. However, the runs have not come as the games have come and gone. Has one of India’s most exciting young batters succumbed to the pressure of captaincy? Let’s deconstruct the captaincy conundrum that may be extinguishing Parag’s once-burning form.
The Hidden Load of the Skipper
Being a leader in cricket does not simply involve making changes to the bowling or delivering team talks; it is a mental slog. Yes, that is Aaron Finch’s insight—being a captain (at whatever level) eats time and energy. The superfluous meetings to come up with the right team selection, strategy meetings with analysts, and pre-match team huddles would take their toll. For young players like Parag on his journey of establishing himself as a batter, there are a lot of mental resources being taken away from him as a batter. He is now spending valuable thinking and thinking and developing more than simply scoring runs.
And it’s noticeable. Parag, formerly known for fearless middle-order finishes, now looks uncharacteristically unsure and cautious in the crease. The swagger is there, without doubt, but the timing isn’t. Is it possible that he is thinking two overs ahead about field placements when he should be just reacting to the ball in front of him? Maybe. Leadership is the heavy crown, and particularly when it comes upon you early.
Too Much Info, Too Little Instinct?
Ambati Rayudu made an interesting point in the post-match analysis: modern franchises are so deep into analytics that the captaincy itself has been reduced to a string-pulling exercise. And on paper, that sounds like it would be less work for Parag. Less decision-making, more time focusing on his batting, right?
Not exactly. A strong backroom staff can ease your workload, but they can also load you up as well. Constantly feeding you data point after data point – data on the opposition matchups, analysis around strike rates, bowling option stats, and more. Just walking to the crease with 15 different strategic inputs in your brain is difficult to manage. Perhaps by doing our best to do the role of tactician as well as a top-order finisher, we find ourselves stuck in the middle somewhere.
The Public Pressure and the Prove-It Energy
Riyan Parag
And let’s not forget the elephant in the room – public perception. Riyan Parag has always been a player about whom people feel ambivalent. He is confident bordering on cocky, which rubs some fans wrong.
Pressure increases. Criticism intensifies. And every bad score becomes something to talk about. The buzz and energy around Parag this season feel more like an expectation shaded by scrutiny than support. This provides a challenging environment for any young player, but even more so for a kid expected to lead a franchise.
So, has captaincy impacted Riyan Parag’s batting? All indications suggest it has. It’s added another dimension to his game that he may be better suited for later in life. What he needs now is freedom, not worrying about playing on instinct, trusting his shots, and finding the flair we all gushed about last season.
It’s not that he isn’t capable of leading. Let the kid just bat, enjoy it, and be expressive again. Because when Riyan Parag plays with freedom, cricket fans win.
What do you think—should RR continue with Parag as captain, or let him focus on batting for now? Please leave your thoughts in the comments. Let’s chat cricket!
For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!
