Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has spoken up for the first time since his "vaping" controversy.
After RR's loss to Delhi Capitals on May 1, Parag spoke to the broadcasters about ignoring outside noise and not responding to it.
During RR's win over Punjab Kings on April 28, TV cameras had caught Parag lighting an e-cigarette and vaping in the dressing room. The visuals caused controversy as e-cigarettes and vapes are banned in India.
Two days later, the BCCI decided to fine Parag for 25% of his match fees and gave him one demerit point for "bringing the game into disrepute".
Parag's knock goes in vain
Against DC, both of RR's openers were dismissed for single digits. While Dhruv Jurel stabilised the early collapse, it was Riyan Parag's innings of 90 that actually gave RR momentum in their innings.
Donovan Ferreira then made an unbeaten 47 from just 14 balls to push RR beyond 220. Mitchell Starc took a 3-wicket haul in his first match of the season.
In return, Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul made fifties amidst an opening stand of 110 that gave DC the perfect platform to pull off the highest successful chase in their history.
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Speaking to broadcasters after the match, Riyan Parag said that he didn't need to respond to any critics whatsoever.
“I don’t think I need to answer any critics or whoever’s talking about it, but at the end of the day, my job is to get two points. So my score, my innings doesn’t really matter if we’ve lost the game,” Parag said.
Parag has been under intense scrutiby in IPL 2026 for both his form on the field and his actions off it.
Riyan Parag in IPL 2026
Parag's innings of 90 against DC couldn't really have come at a better at time for either him or his team.
The knock was his first fifty of this IPL season. Including this knock, he has made 207 runs in 10 matches at an average of 23 and a strike rate of almost 144.
During the match against DC, he left the field for the last six overs and did not bring himself on to bowl. His bowling numbers currently read 2 wickets from 4 overs at an average of 19 and an economy rate of 9.50.
Rajasthan Royals' form in IPL 2026 and next match
After winning each of their first 4 matches, the Rajasthan Royals have lost 4 of their last 6 matches.
Currently, the inaugural IPL champions sit fourth on the IPL 2026 points table with 12 points. Of the three teams stuck on 12 points, RR have the worst net run rate. This is not good news at all, especially this close to the playoffs.
The good news is that Rajasthan will stay at home in Jaipur for their next match and have a gap of eight days.
Riyan Parag's men will take on the Gujarat Titans on May 9 next. GT are currently on a two-match winning streak.
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