'Maturity Comes From Pain' Riyan Parag Speaks About Dealing With Hate And Criticism

After an impressive debut season in 2019, Parag struggled for the next four seasons, leading to questions about his place in the team. During this challenging period, he faced significant criticism and negativity due to his inconsistent performances. However, his fortunes changed in the 2024 IPL season, where he emerged as one of the leading run-scorers. This successful season paved the way for his selection to the Indian team.

“Maturity comes with pain. There are millions watching the IPL. When I don't perform, I feel terrible. And people add to it. Opinions from fans add to it. Opinions from great players add to it. So I just had to figure out what really mattered.

“Why was I getting so much hate? Why was I getting negative energy from all the people except those from the Royals set-up? I tried to understand my game. And once I started doing that, I got this sudden love for getting into cricket a lot,” Parag added.

Parag reflected on the constant criticism, noting that it made life difficult when he was underperforming in the IPL. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that enduring this tough phase helped him grow more mature.

In the 2024 IPL, Parag ended up as the third-highest run-scorer, amassing 573 runs from 16 matches at an average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21. He recorded four half-centuries, with a top score of 84 not out.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli To Play In Champions Trophy 2025? Jay Shah Hints