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Riyan Parag's Football Fandom: From Childhood Love to Premier League Predictions

Indian cricketer and newly-appointed Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has opened up about his lifelong passion for football, which began in childhood. He revealed he only started regularly watching the Premier League in 2018 after joining the IPL, as it allowed him to stay up late. Parag confidently predicts Arsenal will end their title drought and win the ongoing 2025-26 Premier League season. The all-rounder, coming off a career-best IPL 2024, is set to lead the Royals in IPL 2026 after Sanju Samson's trade.

Key Points: Riyan Parag on Football Love & Arsenal Title Prediction

  • Childhood football love began in grade 5
  • Started following Premier League after joining IPL
  • Predicts Arsenal to win 2025-26 title
  • Appointed RR captain for IPL 2026
  • Had breakthrough 573-run season in IPL 2024
3 min read

Riyan Parag opens up on his love for football amid Premier League 2025-26 season

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag reveals his Premier League passion, predicts Arsenal to win 2025-26 title, and shares his IPL journey.

"I think Arsenal is going to end their drought and win the title. - Riyan Parag"

London, March 16

Indian cricketer Riyan Parag opened up on his love for football, especially the Premier League, ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The newly-appointed Rajasthan Royals captain visited the UK to watch the West Ham vs Manchester City match of the ongoing Premier League 2025-26 season.

Speaking during a media interaction, Riyan Parag said his love for football began when he started playing the sport in his childhood, around the time he was in grade 5. However, Parag said that he only began regularly watching and following the Premier League in 2018 after joining the IPL, as it allowed him to stay up late and watch matches, something he wasn't allowed to do while living at home.

"I started actually following the Premier League when I got into the IPL. Because before that, I'd be at home and my parents wouldn't allow me to stay late up at night and watch the Premier League. But I started playing football when I was in grade 5 or something like that. So, that's when the love for the game started. But then I actually started watching and following the Premier League in 2018 when I was playing in the IPL. And I could stay up late and watch it," Riyan Parag said.

Coming to the ongoing Premier League 2025-26 season, Parag believes that Arsenal are going to end their Premier League title drought and emerge as the winners of this edition.

Notably, Arsenal currently lead the Premier League table with 70 points to their name, nine points clear of the second-placed Manchester City.

"I think Arsenal is going to end their drought and win the title," Parag said.

Coming to Riyan Parag's IPL journey, the right-handed batter has been appointed as the next captain for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026 after former RR skipper Sanju Samson was traded to five-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in exchange for two all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

Last year, when Samson missed eight games due to injuries, Parag stepped in as the captain of the Rajasthan-based franchise; however, under his leadership, RR only managed to win two matches.

Parag has played all seven seasons for RR. He got to play all their games in the previous two seasons. The 2024 edition was his best in terms of his run tally as he slammed 573, which he made at an average of 52.09, while striking at 149.21. Overall, he has played 84 matches for RR, scoring 1566 runs and taking 7 wickets.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see cricketers being football fans. His Arsenal prediction is bold, but City are relentless. Hope his leadership for RR is more successful than his last stint.
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Vikram M
As a fellow Gooner, I fully support Riyan's title prediction! Come on you Gunners! 🟥⚪ More importantly, he needs to focus on his new role. RR fans expect a lot after that trade.
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Priya S
It's good to know our players have interests beyond cricket. Shows they are well-rounded. But honestly, his captaincy record is a concern. Hope he has learned from last season.
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Rohit P
Typical story of an Indian sports fan 😂 Parents saying "so ja, subah school hai" while you try to watch a match in the UK. Good for him, living that life now. All the best for IPL!
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Michael C
Respectfully, I think the article and the trip highlight a distraction. With a big captaincy role ahead, his primary focus should be on preparing for the IPL, not watching football overseas. The team needs a fully committed leader.

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