Riyan Parag Leads Royals to First Win of IPL 2025 with Stellar Fielding and Smart Captaincy
Guwahati, March 31: Rajasthan Royals (RR) finally opened their account in IPL 2025 with a narrow but thrilling 6-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. With stand-in captain Riyan Parag leading from the front, RR bounced back from two early losses to secure their first victory of the season, defending a total of 182/9 with grit, smart bowling rotations, and razor-sharp fielding.
Reflecting on the match, Parag admitted the Royals were 20 runs short with the bat but hailed the collective bowling and fielding performance for turning the game in their favor.
“Took a lot of time, just two games, but felt really long,” said Parag during the post-match presentation. “We still think we were 20 short. We lost a couple of wickets quickly in the middle overs. But we bowled really well. The chat was to forget those two tough games, come in with a fresh mindset and perform together.”
One of the more notable tactical moves was the decision not to let Jofra Archer complete his full quota of overs, a call that raised some eyebrows. Parag explained that it came down to instinct and having multiple bowling options at his disposal.
“Just assessing the situation… luckily had seven options. Went with the gut feeling,” he said.
However, the biggest differentiator for RR on the night was their fielding. From sharp catches to energetic stops, the Royals backed their bowlers with intensity. Parag credited this improvement to the consistent work with fielding coach Dishant Yagnik.
“Fielding always makes up for the runs we were short. We are working a lot with Dishant Yagnik, and it is paying off.”
With a much-needed win under their belt, Rajasthan Royals now carry momentum into their next fixture, while Parag’s calm leadership and tactical nous have offered a bright silver lining in Sanju Samson’s absence.
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