Riyan Parag, on Thursday (March 28), starred with the bat to help Rajasthan Royals recover from a disastrous start and post a huge total in their ongoing game against Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Asked to bat first, Rajasthan Royals got off to a disastrous start as they lost the wickets of both the openers and the captain in eight overs. Mukesh Kumar dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal with a beauty in the second over before Khaleel Ahmed dismissed Sanju Samson in the sixth over. In the eighth over, Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Jos Buttler to leave the Royals reeling at 36 for 3.
The home team was looking towards the end before Riyan Parag took charge of the innings. He started cautiously and shifted gears at just the right time to help his team recover from 36 for 3 and post 185 for 5 in the allotted 20 overs. The Assam star remained unbeaten on 84. His knock came off just 45 balls and was studded with seven fours and six sixes.
The highlight of his knock came at the end of the innings, when Riyan Parag took Anrich Nortje to the cleaners. He hit the South African pacer with two sixes and three fours to amass 25 runs off the over while impressing with his finishing skills once again.
Watch Riyan Parag hit Anrich Nortje for 25 runs in one over:
Come for that shot, stay for that reaction at the end 🥵#IPLonJioCinema #RRvDC #TATAIPL #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/HZfniV3mgv
– JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 28, 2024
I have practiced a lot: Riyan Parag
Speaking after the hit, Riyan Parag stated that he had worked very hard and was ready for Nortje. The right-hander also revealed the advice he received from his captain Sanju Samson:
“I’ve practiced a lot, I’ve practiced against that type of (Nortje’s bowling). I had my options ready for both sides of the wicket – I was backing my strengths, I know I had the power, it’s good when it comes out.
“Sanju bhai told me to go deeper, he was sure I could get a lot of runs. It was not easy for a new batter to come and score, we needed someone who would stay until the end,” he added.
Parag had a forgettable outing in the last IPL season and faced harsh criticism. He followed it up with some brilliant performances in the domestic circuit and started the current IPL season brilliantly. The youngster will be eager to have a great season this year.