NEW DELHI: Fans flooded social media after Riyan Parag dropped a straightforward catch of Virat Kohli during the IPL 2025 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, missing a golden chance to dismiss the RCB stalwart.
The moment unfolded in Sandeep Sharma’s over when Kohli, stepping down the track, attempted to loft a cross-seam slower delivery. The shot lacked timing and elevation, sending the ball straight up in the air.
Parag, coming in from mid-on with his sunglasses on, got underneath it but couldn’t hold on.
It was a regulation catch, but the RR fielder spilled it, visibly frustrated and exchanging words with Tushar Deshpande, who had also approached the ball before backing out.
Sandeep, who has dismissed Kohli seven times in the IPL, nearly had his number for the eighth time. Instead, Kohli survived and picked up a couple of runs.
Parag, who considers Kohli his idol, looked stunned after grassing the opportunity.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his second half-century of the season and shared two fruitful partnerships with skipper Sanju Samson and Young Riyan Parag as Rajasthan Royals scored 173 for 4.
Jaiswal scored 75 off 47 deliveries, sharing an opening-wicket stand of 49 with Samson (15) and a 56-run partnership with young Parag (30) to lead RR’s charge on home ground, where the ball remained low and came slow. He struck 10 fours and 2 sixes before getting out LBW to Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood.
Dhruv Jurel then made 35 off 23 balls to guide RR to a decent total on this track.
Earlier, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to bowl first. RCB fielded an unchanged side while RR replaced Fazalhaq Farooqi with Sri Lankan middle-order batter Wanindu Hasaranga in their playing XI.
