Kumar Sangakkara passes his verdict on Riyan Parag’s 16-ball 29 vs PBKS: ‘His small innings was…’

Kumar Sangakkara shifted the spotlight from individual brilliance to Rajasthan Royals’ collective strength.

Updated on: Apr 29, 2026, 09:07:12 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara praised his batting unit after they pulled off a 223-run chase against Punjab Kings, reserving special mention for skipper Riyan Parag. It was a challenging task, made tougher by the pressure of coming off a defeat and facing an unbeaten Punjab side. Despite the circumstances, the inaugural champions showed composure and clarity in their approach. The batters stuck to their plans, kept the scoreboard moving, and handled key moments well. In the end, the Royals completed the chase with four balls to spare, underlining the depth and confidence in their batting lineup.

Rajasthan Royals' captain Riyan Parag scored 16-ball 29 vs PBKS on Tuesday night. (PTI)

Sangakkara shifted the spotlight from individual brilliance to Rajasthan Royals’ collective strength, stressing that while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has drawn attention, the team’s batting depth has been just as crucial to their success.

"I know the focus is a lot on Vaibhav because he's an incredible player. But when I look at our side--Vaibhav, Dhruv, Yash, Riyan, Donovan Ferreira, Dubey, Jadeja, and Shanaka--they are all top cricketers. When someone does something extraordinary, it makes you very happy," Sangakkara said in the post-match press conference

He further pointed to Riyan Parag's crucial cameo, calling it a key moment in regaining momentum. "Riyan's small innings was exactly what we needed to bring the momentum back our way," Sangakkara noted, describing the win as a “collective effort.”

The RR captain, who is not having an ideal season with the bat, scored 29 runs off 16 balls against PBKS, which was crucial in the middle overs to shift the momentum.

Also Read - Riyan Parag caught vaping inside RR dressing room; risks imprisonment, heavy fine amid India’s strict e-cigarette ban

“Coming in as an impact sub one of the hardest things”

The RR head coach admitted they were slightly off with their plans early on, but praised the bowling unit for regrouping and fighting back strongly to pull things in their favour.

"We were a little bit off at the start with our bowling plans, but the way we fought back into the game, especially our two spinners and Jofra again, supported by Nandre and Brijesh, was exceptional," he said.

Sangakkara also reserved special praise for impact substitute Dubey, highlighting the difficulty of delivering under uncertain match situations.

"Coming in as an impact sub is one of the hardest things. You don't know if you're playing, but mentally he was exceptionally skilful to stay focused and contribute in a tough situation," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.