IPL 2025: I Personally Rushed A Little Bit, Admits Riyan Parag After RR’s Defeat To KKR

IPL 2025: I personally rushed a little bit, admits Riyan Parag after RR’s defeat to KKR (Image Source: IANS)

Kolkata Knight Riders: After Rajasthan Royals fell to their second successive defeat in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with an eight-wicket loss to defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, skipper Riyan Parag admitted that he was personally rushed into his shot a little bit while being dismissed for 25 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.

Parag, the local lad, miscued a loft and was caught by Quinton de Kock for 25 off Varun Chakaravarthy. His dismissal triggered a slide for RR, and they could make 151/9, the lowest total in IPL 2025 so far. In reply, Quinton de Kock made 97 not out as KKR completed the chase with 15 balls to spare.

“170 was going to be a really good score, that's what we were aiming for. I personally rushed a little bit, knowing the wicket here. Fell short by 20 runs. That was the plan, to get Quinny out early, but that didn't happen. So, we shifted to containing in the middle overs. He played really well, so kudos to him,” said Parag after the match ended.

Asked why he was batting at No.3, Parag stated, “Last year, the team wanted me to bat No. 4, I was happy to do that. This year, they want me to bat No. 3, so I need to be professional to bat wherever the team wants me to, so I am okay with that. We have a younger team this year compared to last year.”

With RR yet to get off the mark on the points table, Parag felt they would click as a unit soon. “It's just about coming together for a whole match. We are doing very well in small phases. It's time that we put together a good match, and then the results are going to be in our favour. We take the learnings, we take our mistakes, we make sure we don't repeat them again and come back for Chennai with a fresher mindset.”

For KKR, Moeen Ali, coming in place of an unwell Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakaravarthy combined to pick four wickets to set the base for the defending champions to win their first game of the ongoing competition.

“Firstly, we bowled really well in the first six overs. The middle overs were crucial too - the way the spinners controlled things. Moeen got his opportunity, and he bowled really well. This is a format where we want players to play fearlessly, we want to give them freedom,” added captain Ajinkya Rahane.

For KKR, Moeen Ali, coming in place of an unwell Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakaravarthy combined to pick four wickets to set the base for the defending champions to win their first game of the ongoing competition.

Article Source: IANS