Rajasthan Royals skipper Rayan Parag (ANI Image)
Former Indian pacer Ravichandran Ashwin has come down hard on Rajasthan Royals captain Ryan Parag, questioning his decision-making in the defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026.He said in his speech on his YouTube channel:
Ashwin
He did not hold back while dissecting the crucial moment involved
Ravindra Jadeja
. Although Jadeja conceded just eight runs in three overs and picked up two key wickets, he was not reliable at a crucial stage against the left-handers.
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“When you have a world-class spinner who has conceded just 8 runs in 3 overs, and yet you think you are a bowler who is unable to bowl in front of these two left-handers but not Jadu – it shows a bad captaincy mentality. Jadu’s balls may be hit for six, but as a captain, it is your responsibility to trust the bowlers,” Ashwin said.Ashwin also stressed the long-term impact of such decisions. “Aap long jo bowling par bharosa dekha sakta hai, because if the left-arm bowler knows that he does not have to run in front of the left-armers, wo kushish bhi nahi karega.
“If Jadeja had bowled and taken the wicket from Rinku, he would have been the man of the match,” he explained.These comments came after a match in which Rajasthan Royals fell behind despite strong moments with the ball. KKR Vice Captain
Rinku Singh
He played a crucial role with an unbeaten 53, leading his team to a four-wicket win.The key turning point came early in Rinku Singh’s innings when he fell at number eight – that too off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja – a moment that ultimately proved decisive.
From there, he took full advantage, striking a successful 76-run partnership with Anukul Roy to take KKR over the line with two balls to spare.Earlier, KKR’s bowlers had set up the contest brilliantly. Varun Chakravarthy (3/14) and
Sunil Narine
(2/26) Led the spin, while Kartik Tyagi scored three wickets to restrict Rajasthan Royals to 155/9.Despite Jadeja’s impact in midfield, RR failed to finish the game off – a lapse that Ashwin believes stems from a lack of confidence in match-winners in crucial moments.