RR skipper Riyan Parag has found himself at the center of controversy during the ongoing IPL season, but not entirely because of his performances for Rajasthan Royals. While RR continue their push for an IPL playoff spot, the young captain recently grabbed headlines after he was spotted vaping inside the dressing room during a live match broadcast.
The incident quickly went viral on social media and triggered heavy criticism from fans and experts alike. Soon after, the BCCI reportedly took swift action against the Rajasthan Royals skipper.
Now, Riyan Parag has finally opened up about the backlash and the constant public scrutiny that comes with being a professional cricketer. Speaking about the criticism, he admitted that he has learned people will always have opinions no matter what a player does. However, he stressed that outside noise should never affect a player’s confidence, mindset or performances on the field.
Riyan Parag also spoke about social media criticism, saying that players cannot allow comments from “keyboard warriors” to interfere with their game. According to him, the focus should remain on cricket and personal improvement rather than online negativity.
Riyan Parag further highlighted the pressure that cricketers face in a tournament as demanding as the IPL. He explained that teams spend several days preparing for every match with detailed plans and strategies, but sometimes results simply do not go their way. Referring to occasions when teams collapse for scores around 75 or 80, he said it is unfair to assume players lack intent or effort because athletes work extremely hard behind the scenes.
The 23 years old player also reminded fans that cricketers are human beings and mistakes are a natural part of sport. He suggested that people often judge players too quickly after one poor performance without understanding the amount of preparation involved.
Apart from addressing fans and critics, Riyan Parag also had a message for commentators and broadcasters. He urged them to focus more on cricket itself rather than repeatedly discussing off-field controversies. According to him, cricket holds massive importance in India and deserves to be spoken about with respect.
Despite the controversy, Rajasthan Royals remain firmly in the playoff race and Riyan Parag appears determined to keep his attention on leading the side on the field rather than getting distracted by the noise around him.
