NewsParag: 'I've been going through a tough phase'”Right before the IPL, I had gone through something, and even now I’m going through something and everyone understands that”ESPNcricinfo staffApr 22, 2026, 6:57 PM • 9 mins agoDu Plessis: Jadeja gets going a bit lateFaf du Plessis on Ravindra Jadeja's steady innings against LSG
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has admitted that he is “going through a tough phase” in the opening half of IPL 2026, yet insists he will not abandon the high-risk style the side wants from him.
Parag’s form line is plain to see – 81 runs in seven innings, average 13.50 – and his latest effort, a run-a-ball 20 against Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur on Wednesday, hardly changed the numbers. The youngster, though, said the changing room remains behind him.
“Everyone has been very supportive,” Parag said after Royals finished on 159 for 9 and still won by 40. “I’ve been going through a phase as well. Right before the IPL, I had gone through something, and even now I’m going through something and everyone understands that. Everyone respects that, and I thank them for that.”
He also pushed back at suggestions that steadying the ship for a while might help his returns: “I feel the way I’m batting [a big] innings is not not too far away, but, as I’ve been saying, if I go in tomorrow and I play another game, it’s going to be what the team needs. It’s not me not scoring runs and taking my time, getting 40 off 30, that’s not going to happen. I go out there, assess conditions; if they want me to go to 200 from ball one, I do that.”
At 62 for 4, Royals were wobbling. Shimron Hetmyer followed soon after and 110 for 6 looked grim. From there, Ravindra Jadeja’s composed 44 made sure there was something workable on the board. Even so, Parag reckoned they came up shy.
“Firstly, I feel we were really short with the bat. The way the wicket was playing when me and Hetty were batting, I think we’ve got to be better.
“I thought, honestly, even with the situation we had, we were close to getting 180, and that would have been a really good score because I knew it was going to be slowing down later, but yeah, the bowlers, they did pretty well.”
Jofra Archer and South African left-armer Nandre Burger set the tone with three overs each in the powerplay, both ending with 1 for 15. A sharp run-out – Ayush Badoni, direct hit from substitute Ravi Singh – tightened the screws further. Parag liked what he saw.
“For two bowlers to bowl three in the powerplay at this stage of the game or how T20 cricket is evolving, I think it’s just commendable. The wicket was helping a little more to the seamers in the first innings, but then the second innings we knew it would swing, but the lengths they bowled, the lines they bowled, and the way we fielded… impressive.”
Lucknow never really recovered from 32 for 3 and were rolled for 119, Royals collecting a fifth win in seven to move up to second. The quick turnaround continues: Sunrisers Hyderabad arrive in Jaipur on 25 April.
Parag may still be looking for that one innings to kick-start his tournament, but both he and his franchise appear content, for now at least, to keep gambling on intent rather than numbers.
