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Rajasthan Royals (RR) kept their IPL 2026 season alive with a thrilling 30-run win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium and sealed the final playoff spot. But after the match, captain Riyan Parag made a shocking revelation which left the fans shocked.
Parag missed Rajasthan Royals’ previous match against Lucknow Super Giants due to a hamstring injury and there were serious doubts over whether he would return for the crucial clash against Mumbai Indians on May 24.
But when the team was facing a do-or-die situation, the young captain decided to push himself and came back to lead the team despite struggling physically. He scored valuable 14 runs off just 8 balls and tried to stay involved throughout the game. During MI’s chase, he looked uncomfortable while fielding and walked cautiously due to the injury.
Riyan Parag reveals shocking injury truth after RR’s playoff win over MI
After RR’s IPL 2026 playoff qualification, Riyan Parag revealed that he was not fit for the match. The captain admitted that he did not have to play due to injury, but still he wanted to be present for the team in such an important match.
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He also made it clear that he is committed to playing the eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 27 despite fitness concerns. Parag said in the post-match press conference: “Yes, I’m definitely not fit… I shouldn’t have played today; I shouldn’t have played any more games this season]. Yes, absolutely (on facing SRH).”
RR had made things difficult for themselves after losing three consecutive matches at the beginning of the season, but two consecutive wins in the end helped them reach the playoffs at the last minute. And now Parag hopes that his team does not repeat the same mistakes in the eliminator.
The Assam all-rounder further added, “We left it too late, I think we left too much on the table. And I think after losing three games in a row we are picking up the slack. Hopefully we will learn from all our mistakes and perform better.”
Riyan Parag’s bold Jofra Archer move devastates Mumbai Indians
The captain also played an important role in some courageous decisions during the match in Mumbai. Rajasthan promoted Jofra Archer, and the fast bowler played a brilliant inning of 32 runs off just 15 balls and then dismissed the dangerous Hardik Pandya in the 16th over of MI’s chase.
Earlier, Archer had also dismissed Rohit Sharma and Naman Dheer cheaply. For his all-round efforts, the England star was named player of the match. And Parag was happy that the gamble worked in RR’s favor against MI.
“Actually, I have taken a lot of bold decisions this season. But that’s how I like to lead, that’s how I lead Assam as well. Of course, different levels, different things too, but I think you have to take your chances. It’s not a gamble, but definitely you think about it a lot,” he said.
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Yashraj Punja and Brijesh Sharma get huge praise from Riyan Parag
Parag also praised youngsters Yashraj Punja (2/44) and Brijesh Sharma (2/26) for their strong bowling performances and said that both the players performed brilliantly when the team needed them the most. He concluded by saying, “I don’t usually praise them too much, so they don’t get puffed up. After today, I think they deserve it.
Brijesh, the way he has come back, after playing a few games here and there, the way he has given some runs in the last few overs – how he bowled today, how he is bowling. And Punja, I think [going] The journey from being a net bowler to being the main spinner, I think, is a remarkable feat. “I hope they do it for one more game, and then, for the other two games.”
