Jaipur, March 19 – Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag stated that the team’s focus for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season would be on improving their planning and finishing matches effectively, following their narrow defeats which resulted in them finishing ninth in IPL 2025.
RR lost five matches while chasing, with margins of 11 runs or less, including a defeat against Delhi Capitals in the Super Over. To address this, they have strengthened their finishing unit by adding all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, as well as trading Donovan Ferreira, despite his recent return from a shoulder injury sustained during the SA20.
“This year, the emphasis is on better planning and finishing matches, which we couldn't achieve in the previous edition. I believe we need to plan effectively. Last year, we lost several games in the final over or even on the last ball.
“If we had been able to convert those opportunities, or if we had made better calculations, or even hit a few more boundaries, we would have qualified for the playoffs. I think in every T20 game, there are 3-4 crucial decisions that can change the outcome.
“I know that in a 40-over game, there are many small decisions, as well as major decisions like who will bat at which position and what our strategy will be after winning the toss. If we make these decisions strategically, this year will be different,” Parag said in a pre-season press conference on Thursday.
Parag also discussed the significant void left by Sanju Samson's departure to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), emphasizing that replacing him is similar to replacing key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Indian team.
“When we talk about Sanju, we never consider replacing someone of his caliber. We can perhaps look for someone with similar skills or have someone bat in his position. There's no replacement for Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, and similarly, there's no replacement for Sanju because he is such a talented player,” Parag added.
Parag, 24, has played 1 ODI and 9 T20Is for India in 2024, and revealed that he has been managing a shoulder injury since undergoing surgery in the same year. “In 2024, when I debuted for the country, I played three consecutive tours. I don’t know if you noticed, but just before the Indian team went to South Africa, there was a note at the bottom of the team list. When the Indian squad was announced, I was left out due to a shoulder injury.
“Since then, I haven't been at 100% with my shoulder. That's why I haven't been considered for the Indian team. I don't want to play cricket for my country in that way.
“I am pretty sure the BCCI knows this as well. Until my shoulder is 100% fit, I won't be considered for the Indian team. That's why I have been left out. As for coming back, firstly, I want to have a great season in the IPL – not just focusing on individual stats or runs, but as a team. I need to score 600-700 runs.
“For me, leading this franchise, having so many years with them, so many connections, emotions, and just a love for the franchise, and all I am trying to do this year is to win the IPL. I believe we have a team that can win the IPL, and that is my sole focus right now. Once that is over, I can think about my personal goals, which is coming back to the Indian team and whatnot – so that's the plan,” he said.
Parag concluded by saying that he is prepared to contribute with the ball if required. “I feel we discussed this last year before this league started. It's about finding the right match-up for the pitch and the teams I can face.
“We had those situations last year where I needed to step in early in the game, around the 11th or 12th over, and bowl a couple of overs. My job was to contain and set the stage for our main bowlers to take wickets. But in the process, if I managed to get a wicket, that would be a bonus.
“So yes, this year again, when I'm leading, I won't restrict myself to just bowling overs, but I will assess the conditions and game situation, and if I need to bowl a couple of overs, I will do that.”