Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has once again found himself in hot water after refusing to click a photo with the team’s young batter, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The incident took place at the airport when the Rajasthan team was leaving for their Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mullanpur.
Under Parag, RR finished fourth on the points table in IPL 2026 and will face the third-placed SRH in the Eliminator on Wednesday.
“I’m not a film star” – Riyan Parag
While the team was leaving the airport, Parag was caught by paparazzi walking towards departures with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The photojournalists asked Parag for a sound bite, asking him to get clicked with Sooryavanshi, but he refused. “We’re not film stars,” he said and walked away.
The video of the incident has now gone viral on social media.
Paparazzi: “Sir, can we get a photo of you and Vaibhav together?”
Riyan Parag: “Arre, we’re not film stars.” 😹
Meanwhile, Vaibhav Suryavanshi was looking at Riyan like, “You may not be a star, but I definitely am.” 😭 pic.twitter.com/n3yPdBR3zv
— Amit Kumar Sindhi (@AMIT_GUJJU) May 25, 2026
Riyan Parag’s previous controversies
This is not the first time in IPL 2026 that RR captain Riyan Parag has found himself at the center of controversy.
Last month, TV cameras caught him lighting an e-cigarette and vaping in the dressing room during his team’s win over the Punjab Kings. Riyan Parag was criticised for the move, especially since vaping is illegal in India.
Parag eventually walked away with a fine worth 25% of his match fees. The BCCI said in its statement that Parag’s actions had brought the game into disrepute.
Even in the past, Parag has been criticised for seemingly being an arrogant loudmouth. His statements in various interviews and podcasts have drawn the public’s ire.
Riyan Parag in IPL 2026
In IPL 2026, Parag has been very inconsistent with the bat despite being the captain. He has been designated to be the middle order’s fulcrum, but hasn’t necessarily delivered on expectations
Due to injury, he has played only 12 of his team’s 14 matches and managed just 272 runs.
He has a batting average of 24.72 at a strike rate of 153 this season. He has also made just two fifties—a sharp contrast from his last two seasons.
Occasionally, he has also taken up bowling, but hasn’t fared that much better with the ball either. In 12 matches, Parag has given just 4 overs to himself to bowl and taken 2 wickets.
His bowling average is just 19 runs per wicket, and the bowling economy rate is 9.5 runs per over.
RR’s next match
Parag’s men will travel to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur to play the Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
RR finished fourth on the IPL 2026 points table and will play SRH, who finished third. The team that loses the Eliminator will have to say goodbye to their IPL 2026 trophy hopes, while the winner moves on to Qualifier 2.
In Qualifier 2, they will face the loser of Tuesday’s clash between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Gujarat Titans.
Also Read: RCB star announces retirement hours before IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against GT
