Following RR’s victory over Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur on Tuesday, Parag, who did not take the field for the game due to a hamstring issue, expressed his frustration with the heavy scrutiny around his off-field issues, including being caught vaping in the dressing room earlier this season.
“As far as IPL is concerned, there are a lot of things happening outside this year. I feel the whole country loves cricket a lot. We, as players, try to give our best whenever we can,” Parag told reporters after RR beat LSG by seven wickets.
“We perform according to the expectations of the crowd. So, I feel we should all love cricket and look at it in the same way. Players are working very hard. It is very easy to say, if a team gets all out for 75 or 80 runs, that they do not know how to play or have the mindset to play.
“But before that game, there is a three- to four-day preparation (time period) to ensure how we can score 200-250. But sometimes, it doesn’t happen. We are humans too, and we make mistakes too. So, I feel, as much as it is happening outside, especially the commentators, their voices are reaching out to the people; I would request them to love cricket and talk about cricket.” Parag, who has been made India A vice-captain for a triangular series in Sri Lanka, was among the impact substitutes for RR’s Tuesday game but did not take any part in the on-field proceedings.
READ: Riyan Parag’s vaping incident a reminder that players have to maintain team’s culture: Sangakkara
The 24-year-old Parag said cricket is the best sport in the country and should be treated with respect.
“The sport, which is the country’s most important, and in which we are the best, I feel, (should be treated) with a little respect. We should only talk about cricket. We should not talk about anything else,” he said.
Parag said he tries to not let outside noise affect his game.
“I have understood one thing that you have been saying for the last four years: no matter what I do, there will be talks,” he said.
“I have also understood that whatever talks are happening, it shouldn’t affect my game, my form or my mindset because keyboard warriors are outsiders.”
Parag said teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s scintillating 93 against LSG, which came off only 38 balls with 10 sixes and seven fours, was his “best innings”.
“I think this was his best innings. When he was 5 off 10 or 11, there were always two ways to go about it. One was to take it upon his ego and say, ‘Why am I not able to hit this? Why am I not recovering from this situation and getting out of it?’ and then he just blindly slogs it,” Parag said.
“But it was really fun and curious to see Vaibhav, being 15. He took his time. He played that first big shot off Mayank (Yadav) over covers, which really gave me a sense of satisfaction and understanding that, okay, he is small, but then he has a larger understanding of the game.”
Published on May 20, 2026
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