Out came Rajah Royals’ skipper Riyan Parag, sharp in voice, stepping into the media room following a nail-biting win against Lucknow Super Giants during Tuesday’s IPL 2026 clash. That triumph pushed his side closer to the playoffs – just one more victory stands between them and passage through. Though he made sure to highlight young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old sensation smashing 93 off 38 balls to earn top honours on stage, Parag also took aim at certain voices from the commentary box who’ve lately focused less on cricket, more on his private affairs
Out of nowhere, Parag faced questions about the vaping uproar swirling around him. Though headlines swirl, he admits he’s learned to live with constant chatter. Whatever path he takes, voices will always follow. Staying locked on his own job matters more than tracking opinions. Listening too closely? That just pulls attention away. Quiet focus beats noise every time.
One thing’s clear right away, Parag began – four years taught me people will always find something to say, no matter the effort. That part makes sense now. Then again, chatter swirling around should never touch performance, rhythm, or mental sharpness. Keyboard warriors deal in noise better kept off the field. Belief in play style? How deeply focused on craft? Those stay untouched, stronger than any comment ever could.
“As far as whatever is going on in the IPL this year, a lot of things are happening outside. I feel this entire country loves cricket very much. We, as players, try to give our best whenever we go out, to perform for the crowd that has come and for the expectations they bring,” he added.
Out of nowhere, Parag went after IPL analysts again. Mistakes happen on the field – everyone knows that. Still, he pointed out how odd it feels when voices from the booth start talking about a cricketer’s private world. What crosses the edge, he said, is dragging off-pitch lives into the broadcast chatter
Trying your best does not always show in numbers. A low total like seventy five brings quick judgment – people talk as if effort or skill were missing. Behind every match sit long hours, plans drawn up days before, talks about reaching two twenty or even higher targets. Yet outcomes slip through fingers despite all care taken. Even those who prepare thoroughly face slips now and then. Being wrong once does not mean blindness or laziness.
“I feel, whatever is happening outside, especially commentators whose voices are reaching the people, I would just request them to love cricket, talk about cricket, and I feel a sport that is so important to a country, in which we are the best, I feel it should be treated with some respect and only cricket should be talked about, nothing else,” he asserted
Victory over Lucknow pushed Rajasthan up to fourth place on the standings. With that result, they head into their last league game versus Mumbai Indians. Beating MI means playoff qualification is certain for RR. Losing might still allow them through, depending on other outcomes
