Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag emphasized the team’s focus on better planning and finishing matches for the upcoming IPL season. In the previous season, narrow defeats resulted in the team finishing at ninth place. To address this, the team has bolstered its finishing unit by adding all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, along with Donovan Ferreira, who returned from a shoulder injury suffered in SA20.
Parag highlighted the importance of planning and executing well in crucial moments, citing missed opportunities in close games from the previous season. He stressed the impact of strategic decisions in T20 matches and expressed confidence that improved planning could lead to better outcomes this year.
Discussing the absence of Sanju Samson, who moved to Chennai Super Kings, Parag acknowledged the challenge of filling his position, likening it to replacing top Indian batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He emphasized the unique skills and contributions of Samson to the team.
Parag, who has represented India in ODI and T20I matches, revealed his ongoing struggle with a shoulder injury since 2024. Despite this setback, he remains focused on performing well in the IPL and leading Rajasthan Royals to success. Parag expressed his determination to prioritize team achievements over personal milestones and aspirations for an eventual return to the Indian national team.
Parag concluded by expressing his readiness to contribute with the ball if needed, highlighting his flexibility and willingness to adapt to different game situations. He emphasized the importance of assessing conditions and making strategic decisions to support the team’s overall performance.
