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Riyan Parag received massive criticism on social media despite winning his maiden IPL match as captain as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) held on to overcome the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Barsapara International Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday (March 30). For those who are unaware, Parag was selected RR captain for the first three games of the season, including the franchise's two home games in Guwahati in front of Parag's Assam fans. Regular skipper Sanju Samson played as an impact substitute due to a finger injury that prevented him from keeping or fielding.
Fans criticise Riyan Parag
Parag, however, lost his first two matches as captain of the Rajasthan-based franchise to Sunrisers Hyderabad (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He is the first captain in RR history to lose his first two games while leading the team. While he was able to win a match and became the third youngest captain in IPL history before Samson took over, a video on social media left fans dissatisfied with the 23-year-old.
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The video shows Parag snapping a selfie with the Assam PoliceĀ personnel in Guwahati and returning their phone to them. Many cricket fans were dissatisfied with the all-rounder's exchanges and demeanor after making his ODI and T20I debuts for India last year.
Parag has been in the Royals' camp since 2019, and despite criticism from the cricket fraternity, the team administration has given him full support. With a remarkable 2024 campaign in which he scored 573 runs in 14 innings, he became the most prolific IPL number four in history.
This resulted in a call-up to the Indian team, and the Royals signed him for a record Rs. 14 crore ahead of the 2025 mega-auction after his great performance for the Men in Blue. Parag contributed significantly to RR's victory over CSK with a tough knock of 28 off 37 balls, followed by a sensational one-handed catch to eliminate Shivam Dube.
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