Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag took responsibility as they suffered another heartbreaking defeat in the IPL 2025 game against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. The Assam-born cricketer opined that he should have finished the game when he had the chance and felt the Royals should have chosen better options in the final six overs.
Parag, who has copped criticism for his batting performance this season, brought up his first fifty this year against the Knight Riders at the storied Eden Gardens. The right-handed batter had notably taken Moeen Ali to the cleaners, hammering him for five sixes in an over and reached his fifty off only 27 deliveries. However, Parag fell for 95 in the 18th over of the innings, leaving the visiting side to get 33 off the last 14 deliveries. Despite their best efforts, Rajasthan fell short by a run while chasing 207.
At the post-game presentation, the youngster admitted that it was a miscalculation from their side that they cannot let go of such games.
"I was just too sad about myself getting out. Probably a miscalculation from my side, I should have finished it. I think we could have found better options in the last six overs. I think they were 120 or 130 and our spinners did really well and maybe we could have cut down their runs, but the game was in our hands. We should have finished this."
"Wicket was gripping a little and I had to pick my battles" - Riyan Parag
Parag went on to credit how well Andre Russell accelerated and lamented the Royals' lack of game sense, adding:
"We've got to give [Russell] credit because he came in, took his time. The way he accelerated was amazing to watch. It's a ground where sixes are hit, so I knew I had my boundaries if I stayed. Wicket was gripping a little and I had to pick my battles, but I felt I could have finished it. You've got to be clinical, you've got to be perfect, and we weren't so the consequences are here."
