Riyan Parag's Remarkable 90-Run Knock Highlights Royals' Loss to Capitals

Riyan Parag delivered a stunning performance with a score of 90 runs in the IPL match against Delhi Capitals, showcasing his talent as the captain of Rajasthan Royals. Despite his efforts, the team faced defeat, marking a significant moment in his career. This article explores Parag's achievements and the historical context of his innings, including his unique record of scoring in the 90s multiple times without a century. Discover the details of this thrilling match and what it means for the future of the Royals.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 2, 2026, 00:41 IST

Riyan Parag Shines Despite Royals' Defeat

In a thrilling match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 1, Riyan Parag made headlines with an impressive innings of 90 runs off just 50 deliveries, featuring eight fours and five sixes, achieving a strike rate of 180. Despite his efforts, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) fell short against the Delhi Capitals (DC). This performance marked Parag's first score over 50 this season, following a challenging start as the full-time captain of the 2008 champions, where he managed only 117 runs in his first eight matches. Coming in to bat early, Parag partnered with wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (42 off 30) to build a solid 102-run partnership, helping the team reach a total of 225 runs. Unfortunately, he was dismissed by Mitchell Starc in the 17th over, missing out on his maiden IPL century.

Riyan Parag's Historic Achievement

This innings marked the second time in his IPL career that Parag was dismissed in the 90s, having previously scored 95 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2025 season. That match is particularly memorable as he became the first player in IPL history to hit six consecutive sixes across different overs. However, like his recent performance, that innings also ended in a narrow defeat for RR. Parag is now recognized as the second player in IPL history, and the first Indian, to score 90 or more runs twice while batting at number four or lower, with David Miller being the only other player to achieve this. Among captains, he stands alone in this accomplishment. In total, there have been 22 instances of players scoring at least 90 runs after coming in at the second wicket's fall, with only four such instances among captains.

Top Captains with High Scores Batting at Number 4 or Below

Player	Runs	Team	Opponent	Venue	Year
Dinesh Karthik	97 off 50 balls	KKR	RR	Kolkata	2019
Riyan Parag	95 off 45 balls	RR	RR	Kolkata	2025
Rohit Sharma	94 of 52 balls	MI	RCB	Mumbai	2018
Riyan Parag	90 of 50 balls	RR	DC	Jaipur	2026

Overall, there have been 10 instances of players scoring over 90 runs while batting at number four or lower and losing the match, with Parag being the only player to experience this unfortunate outcome twice. In contrast, both of Miller's high-scoring innings resulted in victories. Among captains, only Rohit Sharma's innings concluded with a win, as KKR lost to RR during his 97-run performance. Parag is now the second captain in IPL history to be dismissed twice in the 90s, following David Warner. He is also the third player overall to be dismissed in the 90s multiple times without ever scoring a century in the league, joining Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis in this unique group.