Poonam Nath

IPL 2025: Riyan Parag Faces Online Skepticism; Users Feel 'fan got paid Rs 10K' to touch his feet

Digital Desk: Fans invading the pitch is fairly common in cricket, and the IPL is not any different. In the first game of the IPL 2025, a fan in Kolkata did the same to touch Virat Kohli's feet.

The incident occurred during the match between RR and KKR when a fan broke through security and ran close to RR captain Riyan Parag, touching his feet. The man also hugged him before being led away by security. Parag, as well as the other players there, was caught off guard.

While the incident amused the audience, the internet was displeased. Many social media users did not believe Parag was worth risking jail, a fine, or a stadium ban.

Furthermore, some netizens speculated that Parag may have bribed the fan Rs. 10,000 to conduct the act. Others lamented the dark days of cricket, based on what they had seen. Many people labeled it the most meaningless scenario' in cricket.

The internet was abuzz with emotions, and while some claimed it was a real gesture because Parag was a local boy, the majority were not pleased with what happened. Here's what they said.

This is the most useless scene I have ever seen in cricket.????#RiyanParag #RajasthanRoyals #RRvsKKR pic.twitter.com/6QSWP0u96d

— ????CricketFeed (@CricketFeedIN) March 26, 2025

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

So, Riyan Parag hired a boy and paid him 10,000 Rs to come onto the ground and touch his feet.

What an attention seeker this guy is!

#RRvsKKR pic.twitter.com/0w7gfW7lAC

— Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@niiravmodi) March 26, 2025

Riyan Parag captained the Rajasthan Royals in their home venue in Guwahati during the IPL season. However, the match was not memorable for Parag, either as captain or player. This was his second consecutive loss as captain.

KKR reached their target of 152 with eight wickets and 15 balls to spare. He batted well, scoring 25 but failing to turn it into a large score. Parag got decent stats with the ball (0/25). RR is now at the bottom of the points rankings.

Parag is the first player from his state to head an IPL team, succeeding Sanju Samson, who is still recovering from an injury and is unable to play a full match.