A light-hearted exchange between Riyan Parag and Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become an instant hit online. The clip, shot at an airport, shows paparazzi requesting the two players for a picture. Parag responded in a laid-back manner, saying, “(Hum nahi hai flim star.) We’re not film stars!” The remark was followed by an awkward, amusing look from Vaibhav, and that brief stare quickly turned into a viral talking point across social platforms.
The buzz around the pair also landed at a big moment for the Royals. Rajasthan Royals confirmed a place in the playoffs of IPL 2026 after beating Mumbai Indians by 30 runs. It was a turnaround that came after a tougher stretch earlier in the competition, when the side lost several matches during the middle overs of the league stage. During that period, sections of fans openly questioned Parag’s captaincy and leadership, adding extra pressure to the franchise’s decision to back him as skipper.
Despite the criticism, head coach Kumar Sangakkara has stood firmly behind Parag. Sangakkara said that when the team chose to hand the captaincy to Riyan, it was the right call for the franchise, adding: “When we decided to offer Riyan the captaincy, he is the absolute right guy to lead this franchise.” He highlighted Parag’s self-belief, his calm approach, and the level of trust he has built within the dressing room.
Sangakkara also addressed the trolling and public scrutiny Parag has endured over the years. He noted that it is rare to see a player facing such sustained criticism for so long, remarking, “I think I’ve seen very few players who have been criticised like Riyan has for about seven years now.” In the coach’s view, Parag is not always understood by the wider public, describing him as “a lovely, soft, gentle, really determined, smart young man.”
While Parag’s leadership has drawn both debate and defence, Vaibhav’s on-field form has been hard to ignore. The 15-year-old continues to attract attention with a record-stretching campaign, and in a chat on Kevin Pietersen’s YouTube show, he outlined just how far he wants to go. Vaibhav said he wants to score 200 runs in T20 cricket and aims to surpass Chris Gayle’s iconic IPL mark, referencing Gayle’s unbeaten 175 as the benchmark he intends to challenge.
So far, Vaibhav has already crossed 580 runs this season, doing it with an aggressive strike rate that has marked him out as one of IPL 2026’s breakout performers. With the Royals pushing deep into the tournament and their young talent taking centre stage, the Parag–Vaibhav airport moment has only added to the growing storyline around the team.
Stay tuned for the upcoming IPL clash between RCB and GT, along with the latest IPL updates. Keep an eye on the IPL schedule and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap as the season moves into its crucial phase.
