When you are a young cricketer, and you have a mind of your own, then chances are that the critics, and sometimes the fans even come quite hard at you. And that can be disparaging at times. In his case, Riyan Parag has had to face his fair share of criticism, and it’s something that has stuck to him throughout different patches of his IPL career. But what one cannot possibly undermine or underestimate is the very fact that he has delivered with the goods both as captain as well as a batter for the Rajasthan Royals.
Interestingly, the same Riyan Parag that is being subjected to plots and admirable quotes and statements for his captaincy was the same man that was put under fire just a week ago when it came to light that he was found guilty of vaping in the dressing room of Rajasthan Royals. Even then he did nothing to hide his mistake and said that Focus should be more on his deeds and efforts on the field, but guess what?
Parag was in no way off the mark. Neither was he bluffing. He meant business, and as you can see in the very first year of captaincy of the great Rajasthan Royal side, he has taken them to a stage where they will now be playing qualifier eliminator 2 of this year’s IPL campaign.
But all of that said, let’s face a hard question and let’s be honest to ourselves. At the start of the IPL campaign in 2026, just how many people would have given a chance to Riyan Parag, the captain to prosper m as he has for the Rajasthan Royals? Wasn’t he labelled a touch brash or even inexperienced for the job?
In truth, he has marshalled his troops effectively and made the best out of the opening combination of the dangerous Sooryavanshi and the dependable Jaiswal. What’s more? His shoulder, full faith behind to exception fast bowlers in the form of Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer.
On the personal front, he hit 272 runs from just 13 games prior to the start of the big do or die contest against SRH as seen the last evening, and when it came to rendering a useful contribution with the bat- Parag did just the same by hitting a quickfire cameo.
Yes, he would have like to be more consistent with the bat than he has been, but he’s always chipped in with a few good scores here in there, and that includes two vital half centuries this season.
Cricket is not a game of chance at Times when you’re not doing well, personally, you always offer your calm and stable self to the best interest of the collective that rally support behind you in Parag’s case he’s done just that he deserves to go many a mile. With age, talent, and time on his side- the man who clears the ropes with emphatic ease and times the cricket ball well can certainly be hoped to bide his time well in the game.
And as far as the IPL is concerned, he is already proving that he is worth his salt. The numbers, they don’t lie- do they? Keep going Riyan Parag.
His RR are just a win away from playing the IPL final and should they make it, what an emphatic feat might that be, isn’t it?
