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IPL 2026: ‘He’s special, agree or not’- R Ashwin’s verdict as Riyan Parag silences critics after stunning 90
TL;DR
Riyan Parag scored a remarkable 90 runs against Delhi Capitals, earning praise from Ravichandran Ashwin. This performance helped him silence critics after a challenging season.
Key points
- Riyan Parag scored 90 runs against Delhi Capitals
- Ravichandran Ashwin praised Parag's performance
- Parag had struggled earlier in the season
Riyan ParagRavichandran AshwinDelhi CapitalsRajasthan Royals
Riyan Parag delivered when it mattered most, producing a stunning 90 against Delhi Capitals to silence critics, with Ravichandran Ashwin leading the praise for the Rajasthan Royals captain.
Taking to X, Ashwin wrote, “Agree or not, Riyan Parag is a special player. He is letting his bat do all the talking today.”
The knock came under intense pressure for Parag, who had struggled for form this season. Before this game, he had scored just 117 runs, with a highest of 29, averaging 14.63 at a strike rate of 124.47.
Off-field controversy had only added to the scrutiny. Parag was caught on camera allegedly vaping inside the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings, with the clip going viral. He was later fined 25 percent of his match fee and handed a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct.
With RR reduced to 12 for 2 after early dismissals of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Parag walked in with the team under immediate pressure. His start was scratchy, including a few uncertain shots against Mitchell Starc, who was playing his first game of the season.
The turning point came in the sixth over when Parag took on Kyle Jamieson, smashing a sequence of 6, 4, 6 to shift momentum. That burst helped RR recover to 56 for 2 at the end of the powerplay and restored Parag’s confidence.
From there, his innings flowed. He reached his fifty in 32 balls and added a crucial 102-run partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who contributed 42. Parag’s strokeplay stood out, including a forehand-like six over covers off T Natarajan and a stunning uppercut among a flurry of boundaries.
Even after Jurel’s dismissal, Parag maintained control, stitching together another useful stand with Ravindra Jadeja as RR pushed towards a strong total. He eventually fell for 90 off 50 balls, caught while trying to accelerate further.
His effort laid the foundation for Rajasthan Royals’ 225 for 6, with Donovan Ferreira adding a late flourish with a rapid 47 off just 14 balls.
On a night where questions surrounded him, Parag responded in the best way possible, with the bat doing all the talking, just as Ashwin pointed out.
Q&A
What did Riyan Parag achieve in the IPL match against Delhi Capitals?
Riyan Parag scored a stunning 90 runs, significantly contributing to his team's performance.
How has Riyan Parag performed in the IPL 2026 season prior to this match?
Before this match, Riyan Parag had struggled, scoring only 117 runs with a highest score of 29 and averaging 14.63.
What did Ravichandran Ashwin say about Riyan Parag's performance?
Ravichandran Ashwin praised Riyan Parag on X, stating that he is a special player and that his bat is doing the talking.
