New Delhi: A combination of factors, including inability to counter variations, led to Rajasthan Royals’ first defeat in IPL 2026, a 57-run rout against Sunrisers Hyderabad, skipper Riyan Parag said.
Rajasthan conceded 216 runs after electing to bowl and then folded for 159 in 19 overs for their first defeat after four consecutive victories.
They lost three wickets in the first over of their innings and never looked like recovering from thay blow in chase of a big target.
“I think it was a mix of everything. I felt we were a little surprised by what the pace of the ball was when it left the hand and how it came off the wicket,” Parag said at the post match press conference.
“…I think Vaibhav expected it a little quicker, came a little stickier. Same for Dhruv, nipped back in. Jaiswal, he hits that 9 out of 10 times and that stopped.
“I got a really full ball, I couldn’t hit that. I won’t say we were unlucky, but then it was a mix of a lot of variables that came into play, hence we couldn’t connect those shots,” he added.
Rajasthan’s dashing top order batters Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel all went back to the pavilion cheaply, with Parag also pointing out that their bowlers were also not up to the mark.
“Initially, I think we were okay, but then in the middle overs, they were 30 runs over for sure. I think we could have found better options, used the wicket a little bit more, used more slower balls, maybe slower bouncers, wide yorkers or whatever it is.
“But I think just the execution lacked a bit, nothing about the quality of our bowlers. I don’t doubt that at any time,” he added.
Pat for Sooryavanshi
After starring in their previous wins, 15-year-old Sooryavanshi was dismissed in the first over but Parag backed him to bat in his usual aggressive style.
“In 10 years’ time, he’s going to be my age, so I don’t know how to look that far up ahead, but as far as now is concerned, I hope he is in a really good mental state,” Parag said.
“(He should) just win more games, bat as flamboyantly as he has been doing throughout the four or five games, whatever it is, and win us a title and hopefully he plays for India very soon.”