Rajasthan Royals (RR) kept their IPL 2026 season alive with a thrilling 30-run win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium to seal the final playoff spot. But after the match, captain Riyan Parag made a surprising revelation that left fans shocked.
Parag had missed Rajasthan Royals’ previous match against Lucknow Super Giants because of a hamstring injury, and there were serious doubts over whether he would return for the crucial clash against Mumbai Indians on May 24.
But with the team facing a do-or-die situation, the young captain decided to push himself and came back to lead the side despite struggling physically. He scored a valuable 14 runs from just 8 balls and tried to stay involved throughout the game. During MI’s chase, he was seen uncomfortable while fielding and was seen walking carefully because of the injury.
Riyan Parag reveals shocking injury truth after RR’s playoff-clinching win over MI
After the RR’s IPL 2026 playoff qualification, Riyan Parag revealed that he was not fit for this match. The skipper admitted that he was not supposed to play because of the injury, but he still wanted to be there for the team in such an important match.
He also made it clear that he is determined to play the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 27 despite the fitness concern. Parag said at the post-match press conference: “Yeah, I'm definitely not fit… I was not supposed to play today; I'm not supposed to play another game in this season]. Yeah, of course (on facing SRH).”
RR had made things difficult for themselves after losing three matches in a row earlier in the season, but back-to-back wins at the end helped them sneak into the playoffs at the last moment. And now Parag hopes his team will not repeat the same mistakes in the eliminator.
The Assam all-rounder further noted, “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.”
Riyan Parag’s bold Jofra Archer gamble destroys the Mumbai Indians
The captain also played a key role with some brave decisions during the match in Mumbai. Rajasthan promoted Jofra Archer, and the fast bowler played a stunning cameo of 32 runs off just 15 balls and then dismissed dangerous Hardik Pandya in the 16th over during MI’s chase.
Archer had earlier also removed Rohit Sharma and Naman Dhir cheaply. For his all-round efforts, the England star was named Player of the Match. And Parag was happy that the gamble worked in RR’s favour against MI.
He noted, “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.”
Read Also: “I want to break Chris Gayle’s record and score 200” - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes huge statement
Yash Raj Punja and Brijesh Sharma earn massive praise from Riyan Parag
Parag also praised youngsters Yash Raj Punja (2/44) and Brijesh Sharma (2/26) for their strong bowling performances, saying both players stepped up brilliantly when the team needed them most. He signed off by saying, “I don't usually praise them a lot, so they don't get all bloated and stuff. After today, I think they deserve it.
Brijesh, the way he's come back, after getting a few games here and there, the way he's gone for some runs in the last few overs - how he bowled today, how he's been bowling. And Punja, I think [going] from a net bowler to his journey right now, being the lead spinner, I think, remarkable job. I hope they do it for another one game, and then, another two games.”
