'I have not really faced any trouble'- Riyan Parag on pressures of leading RR in IPL 2025

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) lost to the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati by 8 wickets. Young stand-in skipper Riyan Parag is facing a lot of pressure after suffering a defeat in his IPL captaincy debut and in the second match. He has stated that the presence of seniors like Rahul Dravid and Sanju Samson has helped him a lot. 

The next two fixtures will be another challenge for Parag, who has been facing a lot of criticism recently. Though some might feel that the 23-year-old young all-rounder might be facing a lot of pressure, he has opened up on how much his seniors in the form of Sanju Samson and Rahul Dravid have helped him in handling the team or in communication going into the matches. Parag also brought up the fact that he was proud of the middle-order batter’s performances in the opening game of their campaign and explained their importance as well. 

“Not at all. I think everyone here is a professional. Everyone knows what to do when there is a new leader. Sanju [Samson] Bhai has been really helpful, and Rahul Dravid has also been a great support. So I have not really faced any trouble assembling the team or getting someone in the same line of communication," Parag said in the pre-match press conference. 

“I feel the middle order is always the backbone of any batting order. For them to step up like they did, for them to bat like they did, regardless of the end result, I think that's a big plus because we are not going to give 280 every game of the season. There are going to be 180, 140, 150 games, and that's where we'll need them the most," Parag added. 

Speaking of the last match Rajasthan Royals played, they were given the almost impossible task of chasing down the total of 286 set by the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Royals still managed to put up 242 while chasing thanks to the middle order batters Dhruv Jurel (70 off 35), Shimron Hetmyer (42 off 23) and Shubham Dubey (34 off 11) *.