Impressed By Jarrod Bowen's Mindset, Riyan Parag Wants To Lead Rajasthan Royals By Example

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 12:31 IST

Riyan Parag will make his full-time debut as Rajasthan Royals captain in the IPL this year.

Riyan Parag will make his full-time debut as captain of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL this year. Ahead of taking the hot seat, the 24-year-old cricketer from Assam—who has also played one ODI and nine T20Is for Team India—got an opportunity to chat with English footballer Jarrod Bowen during his recent trip to England. Parag spent some time with Bowen last week and, by his own admission, learned a lot about leadership from the West Ham skipper during their conversation—insights he hopes to use in the upcoming IPL 2026 season.

During a recent interview with select Indian media, Parag opened up about his meeting with Bowen and said that Bowen’s mindset and the way he lifts the team’s morale even when the chips are down, impressed him.

“I think mindset-wise, it would be Jarrod Bowen. I had the chance to speak to him and ask a couple of questions about how he is motivating his team (West Ham) through a lean patch when they are very low in the table, almost in the relegation zone. I spoke to him about when an IPL team is in that situation—like last year when we were ninth. How do you motivate your players to go out there and perform every single time? Because you know you’re not going to win the trophy and you know you’re not going to qualify, but you still have to go out there and put on a show for everyone who’s paying their hard-earned money and for the people behind the scenes who work really hard for us to go out and play the game. So I feel those are the insights that I will take into this IPL", he said.

He stated that there might be many great leaders and more successful teams than West Ham in the Premier League, but the way the West Ham captain has handled the London club is something he can learn from.

“I understand there might be more successful teams than West Ham right now, but because I got the chance to speak with him and understand how he thinks, it was valuable. It’s tough when you’re at the bottom of the table and playing home games in front of a packed crowd of 60,000 people who want you to win and are very loud—which I experienced. I feel the way he has handled himself and the way he communicates his message and motivation to his team without sounding arrogant or coming across the wrong way is something I can learn from," Parag said.

“And I’m really glad I had those conversations with him. I can understand and learn from them, and if we are in a similar situation at any time in the IPL this year, next year, or whenever it is, I feel that will be really helpful for me," he added.

In addition to Bowen, Parag said he is impressed by Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes—who he called a genius—and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

“Apart from that, I think Bruno, with his tactical mindset and the genius that he is, and maybe Erling Haaland, with the way he finishes things—being in the box and taking every chance that comes. I feel those three attributes will help me in my IPL 2026 season," Parag said.

Parag, who has been playing in the IPL since 2019, said watching a Premier League match last weekend was a memorable experience, and the crowd support for West Ham—which is fighting a relegation battle—stunned him.

He compared the atmosphere of the Premier League with that of a cricket match in India and said that even though more people in India love cricket, the unity among Premier League fans is incredible, which is not always the case with cricket back home. According to him, fans in India tend to be more player-biased.

“I think there are more people in India who love cricket, but the unity that I saw in the game—with West Ham near the relegation zone and still 50,000 people going crazy for them, even when City were playing with Haaland and other big names at the London Stadium—was amazing. I didn’t see a single supporter fanboying Haaland, Jérémy Doku, Phil Foden, or anyone else. Everyone just wanted West Ham to win. I feel that is something we don’t always see in India because, although the love for the game is there, it’s a little player-biased as well. The love for the team in the Premier League is much stronger," Parag said.

Love for Man United and Cristiano

The 24-year-old also spoke about his love for the Premier League and said its broadcast in India played a big role. He also talked about Manchester United and revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo—still his favourite player—made him a Red Devils fan.

“I think it’s a lot to do with the broadcast as well, because we get highlights and small clips of the Premier League which are very accessible to us. But I was a Cristiano fan—and I still am—and he started at Man United, so that has always been my soft spot and my go-to team. That was another reason why the Premier League stood out for me. I understand La Liga and other leagues around the world are big as well, but the Premier League just hits close to home," he said.

Arsenal to win title

Parag said he began following the Premier League closely after he started playing in the IPL because earlier his parents would not allow him to stay up late to watch matches.

He also predicted that Arsenal are set to end their 22-year wait for the Premier League title this year. The Gunners are nine points clear of Manchester City, having played a game more, and with only seven matches remaining, Parag believes the title will go to the Emirates.

“I think after last night’s game (Man City vs West Ham), it’s pretty clear. Man City’s run is over. I think Arsenal are going to end their drought and win the title," Parag said after Manchester City played out a frustrating 1-1 draw against West Ham.

He also discussed Manchester United’s performance this season and expressed happiness about the recent progress made by the club.

“I feel what Man United have done in the last six or seven games is a positive change. They’ve gone unbeaten for the last few games, and I think that’s something they can build on."

“As a United fan, that’s what I take as a positive. I understand we’re not top of the league and we’re not winning this year, but if you had asked me after the first 10 games that we’d be in this position, I would have said you’re kidding me. Seeing the progress, I’m just happy about that," he added.

When asked which players impressed him this season, Parag again mentioned Bruno Fernandes.

“It has to be Bruno. The way Man United started their campaign—and even over the last couple of years when they haven’t been at their best—Bruno just stands out every single time. He sets an example for all the players who come into the team, even with managers changing and many things happening off the pitch. Bruno has been a constant, and that’s something I can learn from and incorporate into my game," he said.

‘Virat is like Cristiano’

Parag has shared a dressing room with some of the greatest cricketers of all time and believes Virat Kohli is cricket’s equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo because of their aggression and ability to perform on big occasions. He also compared Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara with former Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.

“I think Virat has to be Cristiano Ronaldo for sure—the way they both approach their respective games, the charisma, the aggression, and the way they perform on big occasions. Kumar Sangakkara would honestly be Kevin De Bruyne. I know he’s not in the Premier League anymore, but the way he approached the game from a tactical perspective is similar to how Sanga coaches us—especially when he’s putting together plans. So I’d compare those two greats with those two legends," he said.

News cricket Impressed By Jarrod Bowen's Mindset, Riyan Parag Wants To Lead Rajasthan Royals By Example

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