Riyan Parag doesn't care what the critics say. After being fined for a dressing room vaping incident, the Rajasthan Royals captain let his bat do the talking in a stunning 90-run knock against Delhi Capitals. But even that wasn't enough to get his team over the line.

Walking out to bat with controversy swirling around him, Parag played with remarkable composure. His 90 off 50 balls—featuring eight boundaries and five sixes—propelled the Royals to a commanding 225/6. It looked like a match-winning total, and for a moment, it seemed Parag might silence his detractors in style. But Delhi Capitals had other plans.

KL Rahul (75 off 40) and Pathum Nissanka (62 off 33) launched a blistering 110-run opening partnership that set the tone for a record chase. Tristan Stubbs (18*) and Ashutosh Sharma (25*) calmly finished the job with five balls to spare, snapping Delhi's three-match losing streak in emphatic fashion.

Despite the personal milestone, Parag remained focused on the bigger picture. "I don't think I need to answer any critics or anyone talking about it," he said after the match. "But at the end of the day, my job is to get two points. So my score and my innings don't really matter if we lose the game."

It's the kind of team-first mentality that sets great captains apart. And while Parag's individual brilliance was undeniable, he was quick to point out where the Royals fell short. "I thought 200 was a par score here. It was going to slow down a bit, but I think we could have bowled way better in the middle overs. A lot of boundaries in one single over, and that repeated. So I felt we missed the trick with that."

The fine and demerit point for vaping during the Punjab Kings match will likely fade from memory. What won't be forgotten is Parag's fearless batting and his refusal to let outside noise affect his game. For the Royals captain, it's all about the team—and that's exactly the kind of mindset that wins championships.