Parag defends RR's Jadeja promotion call, blames bowling in middle overs for DC loss
Synopsis
Parag's defence of the Jadeja call reveals the fine margins in T20 cricket: a smart mid-order manoeuvre can stabilise an innings, but bowling lapses erase that advantage. RR's 78-run final-five-overs blitz proved immaterial once Delhi's batsmen found their rhythm in overs 6–15. The real lesson: execution beats tactics.
Key Takeaways
Riyan Parag defended Rajasthan Royals' call to promote Ravindra Jadeja in their IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals on 2 May .
Jadeja scored 20 off 14 balls and built a 53-run partnership with Parag to steady RR after they slipped to 114 for 3 in the 12th over.
RR posted 225 , driven by Donovan Ferreira's unbeaten 47 off 14 balls and a 78-run final-five-overs blitz .
RR conceded 114 runs in the middle overs , including three overs of 18 or more , allowing Delhi Capitals to chase 226 with seven wickets to spare.
Parag suffered a hamstring scare during the chase but expects recovery within a week ahead of RR's clash with Gujarat Titans on 9 May .
Riyan Parag defended Rajasthan Royals' tactical decision to promote Ravindra Jadeja up the batting order in their IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals on 2 May, characterising it as a calculated gambit to extract runs from spinners despite the team's eventual seven-wicket defeat. The RR skipper attributed the loss not to the promotion call but to a bowling performance that unravelled in the middle overs.
The rationale behind Jadeja's promotion
Parag explained the left-right batting combination logic and the timing of the move. "There was what, eight-nine overs to go. We wanted to delay it [entry point] a little bit and just get a few eight-nine [runs] an over from the spinners and then go from ball one when the seamers started to bowl," Parag said. Jadeja responded with a quickfire 20 off 14 balls, stitching a 53-run partnership with Parag that steadied the innings after RR had slipped to 114 for 3 in the 12th over following Dhruv Jurel's dismissal.
The death-overs surge
The platform created by Parag and Jadeja allowed Donovan Ferreira to unleash at the death, hammering 47 off 14 balls. RR plundered 78 runs in the last five overs to post 225, a total Parag believed was competitive. "I think it was a good score. I honestly felt 200 was somewhere on par. It was going to slow down a bit," he said.
Where the bowling went wrong
RR leaked 114 runs in the middle overs, including three overs of 18 or more, allowing Delhi Capitals to seize momentum and chase down 226 comfortably. Parag acknowledged the bowling lapse. "I think we could have bowled way better in the middle overs, we let them get away a little too much and then a lot of boundaries in one single over and that repeated," he said, insisting the toss decision to bat first was sound.
Injury concern and recovery timeline
A brief scare emerged during DC's chase when Parag appeared to suffer hamstring discomfort and walked off the field. The RR captain downplayed the severity. "Yeah, hopefully it's not too serious. But, a little bit on the hamstring. Thankfully we've got like a week break, so hopefully I recover," he added. Rajasthan Royals will regroup to face Gujarat Titans in Jaipur on 9 May.
Point of View
Not won. Conceding 114 runs in the middle overs against a Delhi side that was still finding its feet suggests either tactical miscalculation or execution failure. For a team eyeing the playoffs, that is a pattern to fix.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rajasthan Royals promote Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Donovan Ferreira?
Riyan Parag explained it was a left-right batting combination strategy timed to extract runs from spinners in the middle overs. With eight-nine overs remaining and RR at 114 for 3, the plan was to score 8–9 runs an over off spin bowling before Ferreira attacked the seamers at the death.
How did Ravindra Jadeja perform after his promotion?
Jadeja scored a quickfire 20 off 14 balls and stitched a 53-run partnership with Parag to stabilise the innings. This platform allowed Donovan Ferreira to go on the attack at the death.
What was Rajasthan Royals' final total, and how did they reach it?
RR posted 225, driven by a 78-run final-five-overs blitz. Donovan Ferreira's unbeaten 47 off 14 balls was the standout performance in the death overs.
Why did Rajasthan Royals lose the match despite posting 225?
RR's bowling collapsed in the middle overs, leaking 114 runs including three overs of 18 or more. This allowed Delhi Capitals to seize control and chase down 226 comfortably with seven wickets remaining.
Is Riyan Parag fit for Rajasthan Royals' next match?
Parag suffered a hamstring scare during Delhi's chase but downplayed its severity. He expects to recover within a week ahead of RR's clash with Gujarat Titans on 9 May.
