Aakash Chopra praised Riyan Parag for his aggressive match-winning innings in the Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) IPL 2024 encounter against the Delhi Capitals.
Riyan Parag hit an unbeaten 84 off 45 deliveries as the Royals set the Capitals a 186-run target in Jaipur on Thursday, March 28. The home squad then held Rishabh Pant and company to 173/5, resulting in a 12-run victory.
In a video posted on his YouTube page, Chopra stated that Riyan Parag almost made the Delhi Capitals bowlers dance.
“The Rajasthan Royals defeated the Delhi Capitals. Riyan Parag has the fire within him. He didn’t do the Bihu dance but made the opposition bowlers dance. The home domination is continuing – nine consecutive matches.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener praised the Assam player’s hard work in local cricket and thanked the Rajasthan Royals for believing in him.
“My first performer is Riyan Parag. He was sent to bat at No. 4. So it’s not only a win for him but also for the Rajasthan franchise. It’s a win for domestic cricket as well because this player was consistently scoring runs for Assam. He single-handedly took the team to the Syed Mushtaq Ali semi-finals.”
“He comes with that belief into every season. The Rajasthan team said – ‘We believe in you, we have so much confidence in you that we will always keep you with us. In fact, we will go a step further and bat you at No. 4’. Uncapped Indian players don’t get that position that easily. This team has invested a lot in this player and he is giving the dividends now.”
Aakash Chopra
Despite a lackluster performance in the previous season of the famous league, the Royals kept Parag ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. The right-handed hitter scored the most runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with 510 in 10 innings at an average of 85.00 and a strike rate of 182.79.
Aakash Chopra Discusses Riyan Parag’s Role in RR’s Recovery from 36/3
Aakash Chopra commended Riyan Parag for bringing the Rajasthan Royals back into contention after they had fallen behind.
“Rajasthan were 36/3 at one stage. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson had all gotten out. Only 58 runs were scored in the first 10 overs, that too because (Ravichandran) Ashwin hit a six. However, to reach 185 from there and to hit Anrich Nortje for 25 runs in the last over, well done. Riyan Parag’s fire was enjoyable to watch.”
Aakash Chopra
Riyan Parag got his first 26 runs in as many deliveries. He then put the Delhi Capitals bowlers to the cleaners, scoring 58 runs in his next 19 deliveries.