RR captain Riyan Parag’s underwhelming IPL 2026 continues after low score vs GT in Qualifier 2

Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag continued with his poor run of form after yet another low score against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, May 29. 

The 2008 champions batted first in New Chandigarh, with Parag coming out to bat at number five. The right-handed batter got off to an outstanding start, hitting a four and a six off the first two balls he faced against the bowling of Rashid Khan. However, the promising start to the innings did not last long, with the 24-year-old getting out in the next over by Jason Holder for just 11 runs. 

Getting out early in Qualifier 2 means that Parag has now gone three innings without registering a half-century. The RR skipper has had a roller-coaster season in the IPL, where he has scored 309 runs from 14 matches at an average of 23.76, whilst striking at 157.65. Parag’s average in 2026 happens to be his lowest in his IPL career since the 2023 season, when he averaged 13 after playing just seven times. 

Between 10 and 28 April, Parag played six matches where he scored a mere 75 at an average of 12.50. However, he roared back in form in the next two matches, hitting 90 and 51, both against the Delhi Capitals. The former innings played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium remains his highest score in the IPL this season. 

Despite his hot-and-cold campaign, the Royals have flourished under Parag’s captaincy this season. Having had huge shoes to fill by replacing Sanju Samson as the franchise’s captain, the young batter went on to guide RR to the playoffs in his first season in charge.

The Jaipur-based side finished fourth in the points table after 14 matches and qualified for the knockouts following their final-day victory over the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, a game where Parag scored just 14 runs. He would now be hoping to become only the third captain in RR history to guide them to an IPL final. 

Riyan Parag’s IPL 2026 record