Fans at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati broke into chants for home boy and RR skipper Riyan Parag as he stepped in for the toss on Friday. The Rajasthan Royals hosted the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 16th league-stage game of the IPL 2026 in a home game. Both Royals and the defending champions have been undefeated in the season thus far, and are aiming to extend their winning streak.

The Royals won the toss and invited the rivals to bat first. However, right after the toss, the crowd at Barsapara Stadium started chanting for Parag. The RR skipper, who reacted to the chants with a big smile, took a pause and acknowledged the love showered by the home crowd. Notably, Parag has time and again been at the receiving end of criticism from fans and experts due to his poor form. Not only this, but his position in the team as well as captaincy was also questioned.

However, Parag has managed to shut the trolls by giving them a befitting reply in the form of RR’s improved performance in the last couple of seasons.

We want to be a really pure team that plays really strategic cricket- RR skipper Riyan Parag during toss

Speaking during the toss, the RR star batter said that he wants the team to be pure and be known for playing strategic cricket. He also said that he hopes for his team to play good cricket as they have played thus far in the season and come up with more points.

“Feels great. I think we've been very clinical before the start of the tournament. My message to the team was that we want to be a really pure team that plays really strategic cricket, really smart cricket. So hopefully we keep on assessing and adapting as we have been in the first three games and hopefully come up with really good points,” Parag said.

Not only this, but he also spoke about the last three wins and said that he and the team doesn’t let the victories get into the head. He said, “I think it's a fresh start. I told them when we won against Mumbai, as soon as the sun came up, it was past. And we need to forget about that. That's what Sanga said before we left the hotel as well. All the three games, that's in the past. Today we've got to perform. If we don't, we lose two points and we don't want to do that. I mean, as long as they keep on going, I'm happy. I'm happy with this batting. I'm happy with this whole. So yeah, hopefully they keep on going.”

As of writing, the game got delayed due to rain.