Rajasthan Royals may be struggling on the field but the team management is standing firmly behind their young captain Riyan Parag. After another disappointing performance, head coach Vikram Rathour made it clear that the team still has faith in Riyan Parag’s abilities and expects him to deliver soon.
Riyan Parag’s tough phase continued in the recent match against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he managed just 12 runs. Rajasthan Royals ended up losing the game by four wickets, marking their second consecutive defeat. However, Vikram Rathour dismissed concerns about Riyan Parag’s form, saying that ups and downs are part of the game and every player goes through such phases.
According to Vikram Rathour, it is only a matter of time before Riyan Parag regains his touch. He explained that in any team, some players perform consistently while others may struggle for a while. He expressed confidence that Riyan Parag will soon return to form and even win matches for the team single-handedly.
So far in this season, Riyan Parag has scored only 61 runs in six innings, maintaining a strike rate of 122. His highest score has been just 20, which highlights his ongoing struggle. Vikram Rathour also pointed out that Riyan Parag’s recent return from injury could be one of the reasons behind his lack of runs. Having played limited competitive cricket before the IPL, adjusting to the intensity of the tournament can take time.
Despite the numbers, the coach said that the team evaluates players based on more than just match performances. He mentioned that Riyan Parag has been showing good intent during practice sessions, preparing well and maintaining a positive mindset. According to Vikram Rathour, these signs indicate that Riyan Parag is not far from regaining form.
While Riyan Parag continues to find his rhythm, another young player has been making headlines. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has impressed everyone this season with his aggressive batting at the top of the order. His fearless approach has given Rajasthan Royals quick starts in several matches.
When asked whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for an India debut, Vikram Rathour chose to stay cautious. He said that such decisions are in the hands of the selectors and should not be rushed. According to him, if the youngster continues performing well, his opportunity will naturally come. For now, the focus should remain on allowing him to enjoy his cricket and develop further.
In the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 48 runs off 28 balls. Although this was still an impressive effort with a strike rate above 160, it was slightly lower than his usual strike rate of over 200 this season. Vikram Rathour praised the youngster for adapting to the conditions, as the pitch at Eden Gardens was slow and challenging, especially against spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.
The coach emphasised that the team does not want to restrict Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with too many instructions. Instead, he is encouraged to trust his instincts and play his natural game. Vikram Rathour believes that the ability to adjust to different conditions at such a young age is a very positive sign for the future.
Looking back at the match, the coach admitted that Rajasthan Royals fell short with the bat. The team was at a strong position of 95 for 1 at the halfway stage but suffered a collapse in the middle overs and eventually finished at 155 for 9. He felt that the team was at least 20 to 25 runs short and should have aimed for a total between 175 and 180.
He also highlighted a missed opportunity in the field, where a catch of Rinku Singh was dropped when the batter was on 8. However, Vikram Rathour did not blame the fielding effort too much, instead stressing that the batting unit needed to take more responsibility.
One of the key issues identified was the team’s approach against Varun Chakravarthy. Vikram Rathour said the batters became too defensive against the spinner and lost their attacking intent. He believes that playing with more aggression and confidence could have made a significant difference.
In the end, while results have not gone Rajasthan Royals’ way recently, the team management remains hopeful. With players like Riyan Parag expected to bounce back and young talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shining, they believe better performances are just around the corner.
