Rajasthan Royals Captain Riyan Parag responded strongly to recent criticism after registering his first half-century of IPL 2026, stating that he is focused on performance rather than external opinions following his team’s seven-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals.

The match saw Delhi Capitals successfully chase down a record 226-run target against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Friday, sealing victory with five balls to spare. KL Rahul (75 off 40) and Pathum Nissanka (62 off 33) laid the foundation with a 110-run opening partnership, while Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma finished the chase calmly to complete DC’s highest successful run chase in IPL history.

Earlier in the match, Parag led from the front with a superb 90 off 50 deliveries, his first fifty-plus score of the season. He rebuilt the innings after early wickets and shared a crucial partnership with Dhruv Jurel (42), helping Rajasthan post a strong total of 225 for six after opting to bat first. Donovan Ferreira’s late blitz of 47 off 14 balls further boosted the total.

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Despite the imposing score, Delhi Capitals dominated the chase with consistent scoring and controlled aggression. Rajasthan briefly gained momentum through Mitchell Starc’s breakthroughs, including Parag’s dismissal, but struggled to contain boundaries during key phases of the innings.

Speaking after the match, Parag defended both his approach and his team’s strategy, noting that 200 was likely a par score on a slowing pitch. He also admitted that Rajasthan’s execution with the ball cost them the match, particularly in failing to restrict boundaries at regular intervals.

On criticism surrounding his form and recent disciplinary scrutiny, including a fine and demerit point for vaping in the dugout, Parag maintained a firm stance, saying his responsibility is solely to score runs and contribute to team victories. He added that a minor hamstring issue was not serious and that he expected to recover during the upcoming break.

With this result, Delhi Capitals moved to sixth place in the IPL 2026 points table with four wins, while Rajasthan Royals remained fourth with six wins from ten matches, as the playoff race continues to intensify.

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