Riyan Parag urged commentators and experts to focus on cricket rather than personal narratives while speaking to reporters after Rajasthan Royals’ seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur. The Rajasthan Royals Captain, who missed the match because of a hamstring injury, addressed growing discussion around players during the IPL season after his side successfully chased down 225 with five balls remaining to stay firmly in the playoff race. Rajasthan Royals moved to 14 points with one match left, remaining behind Sunrisers Hyderabad while competing with Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders for the remaining qualification places.
“As far as IPL is concerned, there are a lot of things happening outside this year. I feel the whole country loves cricket a lot. We, as players, try to give our best whenever we can,” Parag said.
Parag calls for focus on cricket
Parag returned repeatedly to the pressure players face from commentary, criticism and public discussion while reflecting on the season. The 24-year-old has remained under scrutiny during IPL 2026 both because of Rajasthan Royals’ inconsistent campaign and incidents away from the field.
“We are humans too and we make mistakes too. So, I feel, as much as it is happening outside, especially the commentators, their voices are reaching out to the people. I would request them to love cricket. Talk about cricket,” Parag said while speaking to the media after the victory.
As previously reported by cricexec, Parag faced disciplinary scrutiny earlier this season after footage showed him vaping inside the Rajasthan Royals dressing room during the franchise’s match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. The footage circulated widely across social media after being captured during the live broadcast.
“We perform according to the expectations of the crowd. So, I feel, we should all love cricket and look at it in the same way. Players are working very hard. It is very easy to say, if a team gets all out for 75 or 80 runs, that they do not know how to play or have the mindset to play. But before that game, there is a 3-4 days’ preparation (time period) to ensure how we can score 200-250. But sometimes it doesn’t happen,” Parag added.
Also, as reported previously by cricexec, Parag was later fined 25% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct after the vaping incident. The sanction related to conduct considered capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
Rajasthan Royals stay alive in playoff race
The discussion came after Rajasthan Royals produced one of their biggest run chases of the season against Lucknow Super Giants. Mitchell Marsh made 96 for Lucknow, Josh Inglis added 60 and Rishabh Pant scored 35 as the visitors posted 224/5 from their 20 overs.
Rajasthan Royals responded aggressively through Yashasvi Jaiswal and teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi before Dhruv Jurel’s 53 from 38 balls kept the chase under control. Donovan Ferreira then finished unbeaten on 16 from 10 deliveries as Rajasthan completed the chase with five balls remaining.
Sooryavanshi delivered the standout innings of the match with 93 from 38 balls, striking seven fours and 10 sixes against an experienced Lucknow bowling attack. The 15-year-old’s innings further strengthened his growing reputation during IPL 2026.
“I think this was his best innings. When he was 5 off 10 or 11, there is always two ways to go about it. One is take it upon his ego and say why am I not able to hit this? Why am I not recovering from this situation and getting out of it and then he just blindly slogs it,” Parag said about Sooryavanshi’s innings.
Pressure and scrutiny remain central themes
Parag also spoke about how he has handled criticism during the early years of his IPL career while arguing that cricket discussions should remain centred on performances rather than external narratives.
“The sport, which is the country’s most important sport, and in which we are the best, should be treated with a little respect. We should only talk about cricket. We should not talk about anything else,” he said.
The Rajasthan Royals Captain also reflected on the attention that has followed him throughout his IPL career, particularly during difficult periods of form and heightened scrutiny.
“I have understood one thing in the last four years — no matter what I do, there will be talks. I have also understood that whatever talks are happening, it shouldn’t affect my game, my form or my mindset because keyboard warriors are outsiders,” Parag added.
Rajasthan Royals now head into their final league fixture needing another victory to strengthen their chances of securing a place in the IPL playoffs.
