Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has spoken out for the first time since his “vaping” controversy.
After RR’s defeat to Delhi Capitals on May 1, Parag spoke to broadcasters about ignoring outside noise and not reacting to it.
Riyan Parag’s vaping controversy
During RR’s win over Punjab Kings on April 28, TV cameras caught Parag lighting up and vaping an e-cigarette in the dressing room. These scenes caused controversy as e-cigarettes and vapes are banned in India.
Two days later, the BCCI decided to fine Parag 25% of his match fee and give him one demerit point for “bringing the game into disrepute”.
Parag’s knock went in vain
Against DC, both RR openers were out on single figures. While Dhruv Jurel steadied the early collapse, it was Riyan Parag’s innings of 90 that really provided RR with momentum in their innings.
After this, Donovan Ferreira scored unbeaten 47 runs in just 14 balls, taking RR beyond 220. Mitchell Starc took 3 wickets in his first match of the season.
In turn, Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul scored fifties amid the opening score of 110, giving DC the perfect platform to set up the highest successful chase in their history.
Also read: Kyle Jamieson issues first statement after farewell to Vaibhav Suryavanshi
“I don’t feel I need to answer to critics” – Parag
Speaking to broadcasters after the match, Riyan Parag said that he does not need to answer to any critic.
“I don’t think I need to respond to any critic or whoever is talking about it, but at the end of the day, my job is to get two points. So if we lose the game then my score, my innings doesn’t really matter,” Parag said.
Parag is being closely scrutinized in IPL 2026 for both his form on the field and his activities off it.
Riyan Parag in IPL 2026
Parag’s inning of 90 against DC really couldn’t have come at a better time for him or his team.
This innings was his first half-century in this IPL season. Including this innings, he has scored 207 runs in 10 matches at an average of 23 and strike rate of around 144.
During the match against DC, he walked off the field for the last six overs and did not come to bowl himself. His bowling numbers currently stand at 2 wickets in 4 overs at an average of 19 and an economy rate of 9.50.
Form of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 and next match
After winning each of their first 4 matches, Rajasthan Royals have lost 4 of their last 6 matches.
Currently, the inaugural IPL champions are placed fourth in the IPL 2026 points table with 12 points. Stuck on 12 points, RR has the worst net run rate among the three teams. This is not good news at all, especially this close to the playoffs.
The good news is that Rajasthan will remain at home in Jaipur for their next match and will have a gap of eight days.
Riyan Parag’s team will next face Gujarat Titans on 9th May. GT is currently on a two-match winning streak.
