Parag batting (Photo source : X /Twitter )
Rajasthan Royals took on Delhi Capitals in Match 9 of the Indian Premier League 2024 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. DC won the toss and opted to bowl first. With the help of Kuldeep Yadav and Khaleel Ahmed’s economical bowling, they exerted pressure on the Royals by disrupting their top order. Riyan Parag walked in to bat at number four and started cautiously against DC’s bowlers.
His intentions were clear when he pulled one off Kuldeep for a six and he never looked back since then. For the unversed, Parag has been at the Royals’ peril for quite a few years now. But the batter had not had a substantial innings to boast of. In fact, he did not have an IPL fifty coming into this match. Known to make bold statements, he was severely thrashed by the netizens on social media for his statements.
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He survived a close DRS call against Kuldeep for a caught behind and did not look too bothered about it. Khaleel who was bowling an economical spell up until the 14th over was taken to the cleaners by Parag in the 15th over as he struck six and two boundaries on consecutive deliveries. His next assault was against Mukhesh Kumar as he smashed him for a maximum and a four in the 16th over.
Parag draws a hefty chunk of meat in the last over
His statement skit came in the final over of the Rajasthan Royals innings as Anrich Nortje, who was making a comeback to competitive cricket after five months had to face the youngster’s wrath. Parag started off edging one past slip as it culminated in a four. He then mistimed a pull and the ball cleared the boundary somehow. Then came a clean off-drive that saw the ball sailing over the boundary for a six.
He then edged one past the slip again for a boundary. The fifth ball was pulled again with great timing for maximum and lastly, he finished the over with a single. Parag accounted for 25 runs in the final over as his score read 84 off 45 balls at a strike rate of 186.67
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Parag’s innings:
Don’t ever take Indian domestic cricket lightly, it’s for your own good. Look at Riyan Parag. He is performing well in the IPL straightaway cos he made tons of runs there.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 28, 2024
The seeds of this sensational innings from Riyan Parag were sown in domestic cricket. Delighted for him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2024
Like few others I too have wondered over the years about Riyan Parag. Tonight we saw the best of him & there is something really special there!
He was emotional talking to us after the innings. Must confess I became emotional too! 😌
Good luck to him! 👏👏👏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 28, 2024
Finally. Riyan Parag. Brilliant #RRvDC
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 28, 2024
Always a pleasure to see a promising youngster finally play that big knock that proves he belongs here. Most importantly, it shows how important it is to keep playing domestic cricket. Well done, @ParagRiyan!#RRvDC #IPLonStar
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 28, 2024
Some innings by Riyan parag – the boy is mentally strong ! The amount of troll & backlash he has received over the years , to be able to have a strong head and work hard on his game and play 2 consecutive inns like this speaks a lot about his character. Good on you buddy .
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) March 28, 2024
Parag 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) March 28, 2024
Riyan Parag has arrived. In style. 💪 #RRvDC
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 28, 2024
Met a guy at NCA few weeks ago. He came with a slight niggle. Completely focused on his recovery and with great discipline working on his skills. And I was not wrong to tell that to one of the coaches there ‘He is a changed guy’
RIYAN PARAG 2.0 🔥
Watch out
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) March 28, 2024
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