Riyan Parag Shares His Passion for Football and IPL Leadership Role
Riyan Parag's Football Affection
Indian cricketer Riyan Parag recently expressed his enthusiasm for football, particularly the Premier League, as he gears up for the IPL 2026 season. The newly appointed captain of the Rajasthan Royals took a trip to the UK to witness the West Ham versus Manchester City match in the ongoing Premier League 2025-26.
How IPL Ignited His Football Interest
During a media session, Parag shared that his passion for football ignited during his childhood, specifically around grade 5. However, it wasn't until 2018, after joining the IPL, that he began to follow the Premier League closely. He noted that living at home previously restricted his late-night viewing of matches. 'I started following the Premier League when I entered the IPL. Before that, my parents wouldn't let me stay up late to watch it. I began playing football in grade 5, which sparked my love for the sport. But it was only in 2018, while playing in the IPL, that I could stay up late to watch the matches,' Parag explained.
Parag's Prediction for the Premier League
As for the current Premier League season, Parag is optimistic about Arsenal's chances, predicting they will break their title drought this year. Arsenal is currently at the top of the league table with 70 points, leading Manchester City by nine points. 'I believe Arsenal will end their drought and clinch the title,' he stated.
Riyan Parag's IPL Career and Captaincy
Turning to his IPL career, Riyan Parag has been named the captain of the Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming IPL 2026 season, following the trade of former captain Sanju Samson to the Chennai Super Kings in exchange for all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Last season, when Samson was sidelined for eight matches due to injuries, Parag took over as captain but managed only two victories. He has been with the Royals for all seven seasons, playing every game in the last two seasons. His best performance came in 2024, where he scored 573 runs at an average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21. Overall, he has participated in 84 matches for the Royals, accumulating 1566 runs and taking 7 wickets.