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Following the Rajasthan Royals' (RR) successful qualification for the fourth and final playoff spot in IPL 2026, captain Riyan Parag revealed that he was "definitely not fit" and was originally not supposed to feature in their crucial final league match against Mumbai Indians (MI).
Riyan Parag wasn't fit for MI vs RR clash
Parag chose to return to lead his side given the high stakes of the encounter: a victory would secure their playoff berth, while a defeat would mean immediate elimination. The skipper had sat out the team's previous game against the Lucknow Super Giants due to a hamstring injury. Despite the physical setback, he managed a quickfire 14 runs off 8 balls at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, and was later seen moving gingerly on the field while managing his injury as Rajasthan successfully defended their total of 205.
"Yeah, I'm definitely not fit… I was not supposed to play today, I'm not supposed to play another game [in this season]," he said after RR beat MI by 30 runs.
However, later he made it clear that he is fit enough to play the Eliminator clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27.
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Prior to their final push, RR had endured a difficult slump, losing three consecutive matches and putting their postseason hopes in jeopardy. However, back-to-back victories in their final two fixtures allowed them to reverse their fortunes, ultimately securing their playoff qualification on the very last day of the league stage.
"We should have qualified way earlier. We left it a little too late, I think we left a lot on the table. And I feel we're picking up the slack after losing three games in a row. Hopefully we learn from all our mistakes and we put up a better show," he added.
Defending a target of 206 at the Wankhede Stadium, the Rajasthan Royals successfully withstood a dangerous late surge from Suryakumar Yadav, who hit a gritty 60 off 42 balls, and Hardik Pandya, who blasted a rapid 34 off 15 deliveries. Rajasthan's disciplined bowling effort eventually put the brakes on the hosts' chase, securing a crucial 30-run victory to punch their ticket to the playoffs.
I've taken a lot of brave calls: Riyan Parag
The win was heavily engineered by a few high-risk tactical gambles that paid off brilliantly for the Rajasthan leadership on the day. Their decision to promote Jofra Archer up the order to number seven provided crucial late-innings runs, and their strategic choice to bring the English pacer back for his final over in the 16th over proved masterly, as he successfully broke Mumbai's momentum by dismissing the dangerous Pandya.
"I've taken a lot of brave calls, actually, this season. But that's how I like to lead, that's how I lead Assam as well. Of course, different level, different things as well, but I feel you've got to take your chances. It's not a gamble, but of course you think about it a lot," Parag concluded.
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