Jofra Archer of Rajasthan Royals (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Rajasthan Royals still have many areas to improve despite clinching the last spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs with a crucial 30-run win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Ryan Parag admitted. RR crossed the 200-run mark thanks to a late explosive strike from
Jofra Archer
and
Ravindra Jadeja
Before Archer’s brilliant spell with the ball helped knock Mumbai Indians out of the tournament.
Speaking after the win, Parag explained the tactical thinking behind promoting Archer to seventh and sending Jadeja to ninth during RR’s late batting spree. “It’s obviously good when things go as planned. I know we won the game, we qualified, but there are a lot of areas we can do better,” Parag said. “We wanted the designated batsman to play a little longer (the move to make Jofra at 7, Jaddu at 9). We needed runs. It’s a wicket where you can’t have two players batting over middle and running with the ball.”
One man is required to take the initiative and take the risk. And the other guy can stay a little longer. The RR captain gave special praise to Jadeja, whose unbeaten 19 off 11 balls proved crucial in the final overs. “Jadeja is reliable as always. I knew he would give us at least 20 out of 10, which he did,” he added. Parag also spoke about his aggressive leadership style and insisted that decisions were based more on instinct than statistical match-ups.
“I’ve had a lot of brave decisions actually this season. That’s the way I like to lead. That’s the way I lead Assam as well. You have to take your chances, it’s not a gamble. Of course you think about it a lot.” One of those calls involved Archer being used directly against him
Hardik Pandya
During Mumbai’s chase, a move that proved decisive after the England pacer dismissed the MI skipper in the 16th over. “I thought, Hardik – there is only one person who can get him out and that is Jofra.
“It has paid off well.” When asked if his decisions were driven by data or instinct, Parag gave a clear answer: “Always instincts.” The RR skipper also praised uncapped bowlers Brijesh Sharma and Yash Raj Poonja for their progress in the pressing game, though he joked about usually avoiding too much praise. “It’s difficult, but all credit to them. I don’t usually praise them so they don’t get puffy and stuff.
But after tonight I think they deserve it.” “Brigesh – the way he came back after playing a few games here and there, where he went for some runs in the last few matches. How he bowled today and how he was bowling.” “And Bonga, from a netball player to his journey now, is the main player. Great job. I hope they do it in one more game and then in two more.” Parag also revealed that he is still not completely physically fit but credits his mental toughness with helping him continue through the season. “I’m definitely not fit. It was all mental toughness.” He also gave updates on Archer and Jadeja ahead of the qualifiers. “Jofra is fine, he is strong as a rock. Jadu bhai is having some troubles here and there.” Despite getting the qualification, Parag admitted that RR made life harder for himself by leaving it too late. “We should have qualified earlier. We left it a little late. Hopefully we can learn from all our matches.”