Riyan Parag returned to action for the Rajasthan Royals after serving a fine and a demerit point stemming from an IPL Code of Conduct breach, and he immediately made his presence felt against the Delhi Capitals. The Royals captain delivered a standout innings, but Delhi still pulled off a successful chase to end their recent slump with a convincing seven-wicket win.
Key takeaways
- Parag was sanctioned before the match for using a vape in the dressing room, which led to a 25% match-fee fine and one demerit point.
- He struck 90 off 50 balls with eight fours and five sixes to lift Rajasthan to 225/6 in 20 overs.
- Delhi Capitals broke a three-match skid by chasing the target successfully, winning by seven wickets.
- KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka powered Delhi’s chase with a 110-run opening partnership, featuring scores of 75 and 62 respectively.
- Tristan Stubbs (18*) and Ashutosh Sharma (25*) finished the chase with five balls remaining.
Parag silences the noise with a fiery 90
Parag arrived at the crease against the Delhi Capitals after the disciplinary action carried over from an earlier incident. Despite the controversy surrounding him, he appeared determined to move past it and make an impact on the field. The Rajasthan captain looked particularly dangerous from the outset, driving the innings with confidence and timing.
His knock took the Royals to a formidable total of 225/6. Parag’s 90 came off just 50 deliveries and included eight boundaries and five maximums. He looked on course for a century, but he fell short by 10 runs, leaving Rajasthan with a challenging score rather than a match-winning one guaranteed on paper.
Delhi’s chase: Rahul and Nissanka set the tone, Stubbs and Ashutosh close it out
Even with Parag’s big contribution, Delhi Capitals responded with intensity and composure. The Capitals’ response ended their three-match losing run, and they completed the chase in a calm manner despite needing a high total.
The platform was laid by KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka, who put on a blistering opening stand worth 110 runs. Rahul made 75 off 40 balls while Nissanka contributed 62 off 33, ensuring the chase got underway at a healthy pace and setting up a record 226-run pursuit.
With the required run-rate under control, Delhi finished the job through the late batting of Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma. Stubbs remained unbeaten on 18, while Ashutosh finished on 25* as the chase was brought to an end with five balls to spare, sealing a seven-wicket victory.
Parag on criticism and responsibility
After the match, Parag addressed the situation with a straightforward mindset. He indicated that he did not feel the need to engage with critics, stressing that performance and results were what mattered most for the team.
He said he did not think he needed to respond to people discussing the issue, adding that the fundamental objective was to secure points. He also made the point that his individual score and innings would not be as important if the team lost the match.
Earlier, the disciplinary matter had also been brought into focus. Parag was fined 25% of his match fee and handed a demerit point after being caught vaping inside the dressing room during Rajasthan’s match against Punjab Kings. He accepted the offence and the sanction imposed by match referee Amit Sharma.
What the IPL Code of Conduct breach involved
The incident fell under Article 2.21 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which covers conduct that brings the game into disrepute. The breach was linked to what was seen during the second innings, when Parag was reported to have been using a vape inside the dressing room.
Parag’s view on the chase and bowling execution
Parag also reflected on Delhi’s successful pursuit, describing the target as a good score and noting that scores around 200 can be competitive at the venue. He believed the match could have been shaped differently, particularly in the middle overs, where he felt Rajasthan did not bowl with enough control and allowed the chase to accelerate too easily.
He pointed out that a burst of boundary-hitting in a single over changed momentum and that the pattern of conceding runs repeated afterward. Parag acknowledged that while Rajasthan might have missed key moments, the decision they made at the end of the day was still part of the process.
