IPL 2025: Riyan Parag acknowledges rushing his shot in RR's loss to KKR
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Synopsis
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag reflected on his team's performance after their second consecutive defeat in IPL 2025, admitting he rushed his shot. Despite the loss against Kolkata Knight Riders, Parag is optimistic about the team's future performances.
Key Takeaways
- Riyan Parag admitted to rushing his shot during the match.
- RR achieved their lowest total of 151/9 in IPL 2025.
- Quinton de Kock's excellent performance led KKR to victory.
- Parag emphasized the need for the team to gel for better results.
- Moeen Ali made a significant impact with his bowling performance.
Guwahati, March 26 (NationPress) Following the Rajasthan Royals' second consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where they lost by eight wickets to the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders, captain Riyan Parag acknowledged that he felt he rushed his shot a bit too much, leading to his dismissal for 25 runs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Parag, a local talent, misplayed a lofted shot and was caught by Quinton de Kock for 25 off Varun Chakaravarthy. His wicket sparked a decline for RR, who ended up scoring 151/9, marking the lowest total in IPL 2025 to date. In response, Quinton de Kock scored 97 not out, helping KKR secure the win with 15 balls remaining.
“Our target was to reach 170, which we believed would be a competitive score. I rushed my shot, considering the nature of the wicket here. We fell short by 20 runs. Our strategy was to dismiss Quinny early, but that didn't pan out. Hence, we focused on containment during the middle overs. He played exceptionally well, so credit to him,” Parag stated post-match.
When questioned about batting at No. 3, Parag replied, “Last season, I batted at No. 4 as requested by the team, and I was fine with that. This year, they prefer I bat at No. 3, and I must be professional about my role, so I'm on board with it. Our team is younger this year compared to last.”
Despite RR's winless start, Parag remains optimistic, saying, “We just need to gel as a team for a complete match. We're performing well during certain phases. It's time to deliver a strong performance, and then favorable results will follow. We'll learn from our mistakes and aim to return against Chennai with a renewed mindset.”
For KKR, Moeen Ali, who stepped in for a sick Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakaravarthy took four wickets collectively, laying the groundwork for the defending champions to secure their first victory of the current season.
“Initially, we bowled excellently during the first six overs. The middle overs were vital too - our spinners controlled the game effectively. Moeen got his chance and bowled impressively. This format encourages players to be fearless, and we provide them that liberty,” said captain Ajinkya Rahane.
“Our bowling unit deserves recognition for always seeking wickets, particularly Moeen. We offer complete freedom in our approach. Moeen is a seasoned player who has opened before. While he struggled with the bat, his bowling performance was commendable. The key is to stay focused, as every match presents a learning opportunity,” he added.
