“Weren’t Supposed To Qualify”: Riyan Parag Breaks Silence On Rajasthan Royals IP – Riyan Parag Reflects on RR’s IPL 2026 Campaign and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Rise
A Season of Resilience for Rajasthan Royals
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) journey for the Rajasthan Royals concluded with a bittersweet defeat to the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2. Despite the 7-wicket loss that ended their hopes of securing a title, captain Riyan Parag has chosen to focus on the immense growth and character displayed by his squad throughout a turbulent season.
For many, the Rajasthan Royals were not considered favorites to reach the business end of the tournament. The team entered the season with an inexperienced roster, undergoing significant structural transitions and testing various tactical combinations. Parag admitted that reaching the playoffs was an achievement that defied pre-tournament expectations.
“A whole lot of positives, actually. But if I had to sum it up in a sentence or a few lines, I feel we were not supposed to qualify,” Parag stated during the post-match conference. “I feel we had a lot of young faces, less experience, less cricket played in the IPL, and a lot of new transitions. But I feel the character that the boys have shown and where we’ve reached today is a great start for a long journey ahead.”
The Phenomenon of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
While the team’s exit was a disappointment, the breakout performance of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become the defining story of the season. The teenager displayed maturity that caught even his captain by surprise, particularly in the high-pressure environment of the knockout stages.
Sooryavanshi produced back-to-back knocks of 97 and 96 runs in crucial games, earning widespread acclaim. Parag was quick to clarify that the youngster’s success was far from mere luck or reckless power-hitting.
“I can’t really put it into words. There’s one way where you just go and slog, and then you get a lot of runs. But the way he’s batted, it’s not just slogging. It’s not blind slogging. You can’t do what he just did today if you were just going from ball one,” Parag remarked. “He calculates; he assesses conditions. He does literally everything well.”
A Historic Stat Line
The numbers behind Sooryavanshi’s 2026 campaign are staggering. He finished the season with 776 runs at an impressive average of 48.50 and a blistering strike rate of 237. Beyond the volume of runs, his ability to dominate bowling attacks resulted in a century and five half-centuries, establishing him as a top contender for the Orange Cap.
Furthermore, Sooryavanshi set a new benchmark in IPL history by scoring the most runs ever by an uncapped player in a single season. He also claimed the record for the most sixes hit in one edition of the tournament, cementing his status as a burgeoning superstar.
The Future of Rajasthan Royals
Looking ahead, the Rajasthan Royals management and fans alike are optimistic about the future of their franchise. Parag expressed his sincere hope that Sooryavanshi continues his development, eventually transitioning to international cricket to represent India.
“I still can’t figure out how, but hopefully, he keeps doing that. Hopefully, he represents our country and brings more laurels to the nation. And hopefully, he keeps on playing for Rajasthan Royals and gets us to that second championship,” Parag added.
As the curtains fall on the 2026 season for Rajasthan, the team can take solace in the fact that they have unearthed a talent of rare quality. Whether it be for the franchise or the national side, the expectation surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is that this is merely the beginning of a storied career. With his ability to anchor an innings while maintaining such an aggressive tempo, he is poised to become one of the most recognizable faces in the game of cricket for years to come.
