Riyan Parag was impressive as a captain for Rajasthan Royals in their match against Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. After facing back-to-back defeats against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, RR returned to winning ways in IPL 2025 as the franchise defeated Chennai Super Kings by 6 runs to open their points account in the standings.
The hosts defended 182 runs by restricting the rivals to 176 in the allotted 20 overs. Parag, who has been leading the team in Sanju Samson’s place, finally got his act right as a leader and rotated his bowlers to perfection to put the visiting team on the back foot. Nitish Rana was named the Player of the Match for scoring 81 runs off 36 balls, with the help of 10 fours and 5 sixes.
Former player Suresh Raina was impressed with Parag’s captaincy and felt the young player should have received the POTM award. “Riyan Parag should get the Player of the Match award for his captaincy. He was brilliant on the field,” he said.
Harbhajan Singh also joined the conversation and added that Riyan also played a good knock.
“He batted well against CSK and took a good catch of Shivam Dube,” he said.
Dube had started hitting big shots before Parag pulled off a stunning catch to end his innings. The southpaw smashed Wanindu Hasaranga’s delivery hard, but Riyan timed his dive to perfection to grab the ball with one hand in the thirty-yard circle. Shivam scored 18 runs off 10 balls, packed with 2 sixes and 1 four.
The NCA did not permit Samson to keep wickets after his finger surgery following the series against England. He was told to avoid keeping for the first three matches, and the management decided to play him as an impact player while giving the captain’s armband to Parag, who scored 37 runs off 28 balls against Chennai.
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