Riyan Parag scored 90 runs against Delhi Capitals on May 1, 2026, at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. This performance followed a vaping controversy that raised questions about his leadership.
Before this match, expectations were low for Parag. He had only accumulated 117 runs in his previous nine innings. His form and captaincy faced scrutiny, especially after the vaping incident.
During the match, Rajasthan Royals struggled early. They lost two wickets for just 12 runs. Parag’s innings helped stabilize the team after these early setbacks.
Parag’s partnership with Dhruv Jurel was particularly impactful. Together, they added 102 runs. He also added another 53 runs with Ravindra Jadeja.
The vaping incident had consequences for Parag. He was fined 25% of his match fee and received one demerit point from the BCCI. These actions raised concerns about team discipline and culture.
Kumar Sangakkara, head coach of Rajasthan Royals, expressed mixed feelings. He acknowledged the negative reflection of the controversy on the team but praised Parag’s captaincy skills.
Sangakkara stated, “I think he’s done really well as a captain.” and He also noted, “Those are the impactful innings that I want to see from Riyan.”.
The BCCI is considering stricter actions regarding player conduct. The vaping controversy has added to the scrutiny surrounding Parag’s leadership role.
This match was crucial for Rajasthan Royals’ playoff race in IPL 2026. Parag’s performance might influence his standing within the team moving forward.