At the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, a young fan made quite the scene during an IPL game between the Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday. While KKR was trying to chase down a target of 152, the enthusiastic kid jumped past security and rushed onto the pitch. He made a beeline for Riyan Parag, who was in the middle of bowling and quickly touched his feet, showing a bit of respect. After that, he hugged Parag before the security crew finally caught up to him and escorted him away.
This match was particularly special for Parag as it marked his first time captaining the Royals in his home state of Assam. He was filling in for regular captain Sanju Samson, who is currently sidelined due to a finger injury. Though Samson was there and played in the batting innings, he wasn’t behind the stumps because he’s been given the green light to bat but advised against wicketkeeping for a bit. Because of this, the Royals have been using him as an Impact Player during matches.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time a fan had invaded the pitch this season. Earlier, during the season opener, someone had hopped over the fence at Eden Gardens to meet Virat Kohli. That fan was arrested and banned for the rest of the season, which shows how serious authorities are about these security breaches. While it’s a risky move, it also hints at Parag’s rising popularity back home. Being the first cricketer from Assam to make it to the IPL makes his presence in Guwahati feel significant.
No way you risk getting fined, jailed or probably banned from the stadium to touch Riyan Parag's feet? 😭 pic.twitter.com/lPKgS9dJEB
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) March 26, 2025
On the field, Parag didn’t exactly shine brightly that day. He managed a quick 25 runs off 15 balls while batting at number three but fell at a crucial moment trying too hard against Varun Chakaravarthy. In his bowling stint, he delivered four overs and gave away 25 runs but unfortunately didn’t claim any wickets.
The Royals are still looking for their first win of IPL 2025 and have their next game lined up against the Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30. The team surely hopes to turn their luck around soon.
