New Chandigarh, May 28: In a thrilling encounter of the IPL 2026 Eliminator, Rajasthan Royals (RR) showcased an impressive performance, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 47 runs on Wednesday. Captain Riyan Parag expressed his delight at the team’s performance, particularly praising the bowlers.
Despite the victory over SRH, Riyan acknowledged the need for the team to improve their batting in the final overs. He stated, “Yes, it was a fantastic match, but I believe in perfection. I know this match wasn’t entirely perfect for us. After a good start, we should have aimed for at least 260 runs. We need to work on that. We must focus on finishing strong after the explosive start provided by Vaibhav.”
Riyan commended the RR bowlers, saying, “I am quite impressed with the bowlers’ performance. I think we maintained our composure. SRH scored heavily in the first and second overs when Ishan and Travis Head hit some boundaries. After that, the bowlers made a remarkable comeback, and overall, the team’s performance was excellent.”
The captain revealed that he does not engage much with Vaibhav during matches, allowing him the freedom to play his game. “The truth is, we hardly communicate. We let him be and enjoy batting according to his style. Vaibhav loves to bat, which is why he practices extensively in the nets, and he brings that same energy to the field,” he explained.
Vaibhav delivered a spectacular performance in the Eliminator, scoring 97 runs off just 29 balls against SRH. His innings included 5 fours and 12 sixes. He also became the joint-fastest batsman to score a half-century in playoff matches, equaling Suresh Raina’s record by reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. Rajasthan Royals will face Gujarat Titans in the second qualifier on May 29.
Leave a Comment