Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag gave a sharp reply to questions about his recent off-field controversy after RR lost by seven wickets against Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Friday.
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Parag, who led from the front with a superb 90 off 50 balls, was asked in the post-match interview if his innings helped answer some of the criticism that has dogged him in recent days. However, the RR captain made it clear that he had little interest in responding to outside noise.
“I don’t think I have to answer any critics or anyone who talks about it, but at the end of the day my job is to get two points. So my score, my innings, it doesn’t really matter if we lose the match,” Parag said after the match.
The Royals skipper’s sharp response came after a week in which scrutiny around him intensified, both for his form and for off-field events.
Parag keeps the recent controversies aside
Parag came under the scanner earlier this week after that was reprimanded for using an electronic cigarette in the Rajasthan Royals dressing room during their previous match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
The incident drew criticism and prompted disciplinary proceedings, with Parag fined 25 percent of his match fee. The matter has also sparked a wider debate, with BCCI and IPL governing bodies assessing whether further action is necessary.
The controversy quickly became one of the biggest talking points surrounding the Royals skipper, especially considering his uneven returns with the bat this season. But Parag offered no interest in engaging in criticism, insisting he was only focused on the results and RR’s pursuit of points in the closing stages of the league stage.
His post-match remarks reflected that attitude, with the 24-year-old making it clear that personal narratives didn’t matter if the team failed to get over the line.
Parag’s 90 is futile as a pursuit of a DC script record
On the field, Parag responded with what was arguably his best innings of IPL 2026.
A walk with Rajasthan in need of momentum, tlThe right-hander made a stunning 90 off just 50 deliveries, mixed authority with invention as he guided RR to an impressive 225/4. It was an innings packed with clean hitting and smart changes of pace that helped the Royals recover and step up at crucial moments.
His knock seemed to have put RR in control but Delhi produced a stunning response.
Openers Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul set the tone with a quick opening stand, scoring 62 for 33 and 75 for 40 respectively to gain early control of the chase. Their aggressive approach dismantled Rajasthan’s attack and laid the platform Delhi to complete the most successful chase in the history of IPL in the final.
After the defeat, Rajasthan remain fourth in the table with 12 points from 10 matches. With four league games remaining, their playoff fate remains in their own hands, but Parag and RR now have little room for error in their fight for the knockouts.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
02 May 2026 02:00 IST
