Jaipur: Riyan Parag expressed pride and gratitude as he stepped into a leadership role for Rajasthan Royals during the pre-season press conference ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season.
Reflecting on his journey, Parag said, “I was here when I was 17. It means a lot that I’m here in this position right now. The journey had a lot of ups and downs, maybe more downs than ups, but I’m proud I came through it.” He also thanked the franchise for backing him and providing consistent opportunities over the years.
Calling his new role “surreal,” Parag emphasized that his focus remains on team success rather than individual milestones. “My sole focus right now is to try and win the IPL. It’s about what’s best for the team and achieving success together,” he added.
Speaking about handling criticism, Parag highlighted personal growth through challenges. “I’ve gone through everything: criticism, trolling, and it helped me understand that only a few opinions matter—mine and those close to me,” he said, stressing the importance of mental peace and staying unaffected by external noise.
Head Coach Kumar Sangakkara outlined the team’s strategy, focusing on strengthening key areas. “We wanted to upskill our side by adding more batting depth, improving local spin options, and bringing in all-rounders for greater flexibility,” he said.
Sangakkara noted that recent trades and auction picks have helped address crucial gaps, allowing the team to experiment with combinations, including overseas options. He emphasized that while results are important, enjoying the journey is equally vital. “Players will have ups and downs, but that doesn’t define them. We want the group to enjoy playing together and trust that results will follow,” he added.
Parag also spoke highly of skipper Sanju Samson, calling him irreplaceable. Drawing comparisons, he said, “Can you replace Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli? No. In the same manner, Sanju bhaiya is irreplaceable.”
He further added that the team’s focus this season will be on better planning and finishing games, an area where they fell short in the previous edition.