Riyan Parag used Rajasthan Royals’ seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur to issue a clear message to those shaping public opinion: stop turning cricket into personal criticism and let the focus stay on performances on the field. Parag, who was sidelined for the match with a hamstring problem and watched from the impact-substitute role, still spoke as the RR captain after the result.
Key takeaways
- Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets in Jaipur.
- Riyan Parag missed the match due to a hamstring issue and was present as an impact substitute.
- Parag urged commentators to “talk about cricket” instead of making criticism personal.
- He said teams plan for high totals but outcomes can still fall short despite preparation.
- Parag praised 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for scoring 93 off 38 balls during the chase of 221.
Parag calls for less personal criticism
After the win, Parag pushed back against the tendency to judge players harshly from outside. He suggested that public reaction often ignores the work that goes into each match and that athletes deserve to be assessed based on cricketing effort rather than off-field narratives.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, the Rajasthan Royals skipper said performances are frequently evaluated through crowd expectations, but the sport should be approached with the right mindset. He argued that it is simple to dismiss a side if it collapses for a low score, yet it overlooks the short window of preparation that teams go through beforehand.
Parag pointed out that before any contest, players typically have several days to plan how to post competitive totals—often aiming for around the 200 to 250 range. Still, he said, sometimes those plans do not translate into the required number on the night.
“Talk about cricket,” he says
Parag also addressed the role of commentators and media voices, noting that their words reach a wide audience. He felt the line is crossed when critique turns personal, and he reminded viewers that players are human beings who make mistakes as well.
He requested that cricket be treated with more care in public discussions, adding that the sport should remain the main subject rather than drifting into unrelated controversies. In his view, the game—described as the country’s most significant sport—deserves a measure of respect from those who influence opinion.
Staying focused amid “keyboard warriors”
Turning to his own experience, Parag said he has learned how to manage outside noise over the last four years. He acknowledged that whenever he does something—whether on the field or otherwise—there will be talk, but he stressed that such chatter should not be allowed to disturb his game, form, or mindset.
Parag also described critics who post from the sidelines as outsiders, reinforcing that his focus remains on cricket rather than online commentary.
Praise for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s big chase
Parag reserved special praise for 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose knock of 93 off 38 balls played a central role in Rajasthan’s successful chase of 221. Parag called it the teenager’s best innings and highlighted how the innings changed once Sooryavanshi settled in early.
He explained that when batters are on small numbers—like five runs off 10 or 11 balls—there are often two possible paths. In this case, Parag felt Sooryavanshi chose patience and then accelerated at the right moments.
Parag also pointed to a key boundary: an early big shot over covers off Mayank Yadav, which he said gave him confidence that the youngster, despite being small in stature, understood the game well.
