Riyan Parag Urges Fans to Focus on Cricket After RR's Victory Over LSG

Rajasthan Royals' captain Riyan Parag has called on fans and commentators to focus on cricket and disregard external criticism following their impressive seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026. Parag emphasized the importance of separating outside opinions from players' performances and highlighted the hard work that goes into preparing for matches. He reflected on the team's playoff aspirations and the need for consistency, while also urging everyone to engage in positive discussions about the game. The match saw a stunning performance from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 93 runs, leading RR to a crucial win.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2026, 23:34 IST

RR's Captain Calls for Support and Understanding

Following a dominant seven-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2026 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag encouraged fans and commentators to prioritize discussions about cricket. He emphasized that external criticism and social media commentary should not influence players' performances.

In the post-match press conference, Parag highlighted the importance of separating outside opinions from on-field performance. He stated, "I've realized that regardless of my actions, people will always have something to say. It's crucial that these external factors do not impact my game, form, or mindset. We must leave such distractions outside."

Parag also called for more empathy towards players, noting the extensive preparation teams undertake before each match. He remarked, "In the IPL, numerous factors are at play this season. The nation loves cricket, and we strive to deliver our best for the fans. Players are dedicated to their craft."

He added, "It's easy to criticize a team when they perform poorly, but we invest 3-4 days preparing to achieve targets of 220-250 runs. Mistakes are part of being human, and we are no exception."

The RR skipper pointed out that commentary and public narratives significantly influence perceptions of teams and players. He urged everyone to focus on cricket, stating, "I ask everyone to love cricket and engage in discussions about the game, rather than anything else."

Parag Reflects on Team's Playoff Aspirations

Reflecting on RR's playoff ambitions, Parag praised the team's resilience but acknowledged that earlier inconsistencies had impacted their chances of qualification. He mentioned, "As a captain, I refrain from over-exaggerating when someone excels. We are fortunate to have excellent contracts, facilities, and equipment to aid our performance."

He continued, "When the team excels, I focus on how we can improve further. During tough times, we maintain a positive outlook."

Parag expressed optimism about RR's playoff prospects following their recent victory, stating, "Had we won our last two matches, we would have already qualified. This comeback demonstrates the character of our players and how we rose to the occasion against a formidable opponent."

He also questioned, "If we can achieve this now, why couldn't we do it earlier?"

Shifting his focus to the upcoming match against Mumbai, Parag emphasized the need for another win, saying, "This match is behind us, and it felt great to win. We will prepare thoroughly for Mumbai. I aim to secure two points there, and we will give it our all."

Match Summary: RR vs LSG

In the match, LSG set a challenging target of 220/5 after being invited to bat first, thanks to a strong opening partnership between Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh. Inglis scored 60 runs off 30 balls, while Marsh narrowly missed a century with 96 runs off 57 balls. Rishabh Pant's late innings helped LSG surpass the 200-run mark, although both Pant and Marsh were run out in the final over. Yash Raj Punja was the standout bowler for RR, taking 2 wickets for 35 runs.

In response, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dazzled the crowd with an explosive 93 runs off just 38 balls, hitting 10 sixes and seven fours. Dhruv Jurel contributed a quickfire 53, leading Rajasthan Royals to a convincing seven-wicket victory, propelling them to fourth place in the IPL 2026 standings with 14 points.