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Captain Riyan Parag called his shots right in Rajasthan Royals' nervy win over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.
Rajasthan Royals' captain Riyan Parag celebrates after winning against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. (PTI)Having lost six out of eight matches as a skipper in the last season, Riyan Parag started his journey as a full-time Rajasthan Royals with back-to-back wins in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), the latest of which came on Saturday night at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
After dominating against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the other night, Parag was spot on with his captaincy decisions as Rajasthan Royals eked out a narrow six-run win over Gujarat Titans in a last over thriller, while defending 211. Former India coach and a prominent voice in commentary couldn't hold his emotions, and also highlighted Parag's composure.
“Easily one of the best games in IPL history. Archive this one! Riyan Parag you have got ba**s of steel and a big future ahead, especially in a leadership role. Outstanding temperament. Well played!” Shastri wrote on X.
After Sanju Samson left the franchise, the Rajasthan Royals management picked Parag among a few options as a long-term skipper. The Assamese lad didn't disappoint, calling his shots to perfection as far as bowling changes are concerned. The 2008 champions have now won two in two games.
How Riyan Parag got it right vs Gujarat Titans?
Chasing a 200-plus total, Gujarat Titans were cruising well with Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada launching a fierce counter-attack, scoring at a strike rate of nearly 200. With 15 runs required in the last two overs. Having already conceded nearly 11 runs per over in his first three, Jofra Archer was entrusted to bowl the penultimate over.
The Englishman repaid his skipper's faith by conceding just four singles, thus putting the pressure back on the Gujarat Titans batters. Parag surprised everyone by handing the ball to Tushar Deshpande over experienced campaigners like Sandeep Sharma and Nandre Burger.
The former CSK pacer justified Parag's trust with a composed display under pressure by consistently nailing the yorkers. Needing 11 runs in the final six balls, Rashid and Rabada could manage only five runs to help Rajasthan Royals secure their second win on the trot.
What's next for Rajasthan Royals?
With four points in two matches, Rajasthan Royals are on level with Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the top of the table. They will next play Mumbai Indians on April 7 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Catch the live updates from IPL 2026 with the complete IPL 2026 Schedule and the IPL 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts in IPL 2026 Orange Cap and IPL 2026 Purple Cap.
About the Author
Koushik Paul
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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