Rajasthan Royals’ batting all-rounder Riyan Parag remembered how a chat with star batsman Virat Kohli during a tough period in his second IPL season made a difference.
Parag made his IPL debut as a teenager in 2019 and made an impact with some crucial contributions. The 22-year-old had an average of 32 at a strike rate of 126.98 in seven matches that season.
However, the situation took a downturn for the Assam cricketer as he struggled significantly in the subsequent season in 2020. Riyan Parag managed just 86 runs with a disappointing average of 12.28 in 12 matches.
Speaking with JioCinema, Parag reminisced about Kohli’s counsel and stated:
“In my second year, I was having a bad phase in the IPL. I was discussing with him on how to get out of that phase and how he used to handle similar situations, so I can learn from his experience as well. He gave me a good 10-15 minutes of his time and shared a few things with me, I think that really helped me.”
Unfortunately for Parag, his difficulties persisted until the previous season, with the right-hander being one of the most scrutinized players in the IPL.
However, following an outstanding performance in domestic cricket over the past year, the 22-year-old has unlocked his full potential in the current IPL season.
Parag currently ranks third on the Orange Cap list, having amassed 318 runs at an average of 63.60 and a strike rate of 161.42 in seven matches.
“Stepping up to bat against CSK, with Dhoni keeping wicket, was definitely an unreal experience”- Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag also reminisced about the extraordinary sensation of facing the Chennai Super Kings for the first time in IPL 2019, with MS Dhoni just a few feet away from him. Dhoni, the most victorious captain in IPL history, has guided CSK to a shared record of five titles.
“It was a surreal feeling. I don’t really remember how I was exactly feeling but I was nervous for sure. Playing against CSK, going in to bat, with Dhoni behind the wicket, was a surreal moment for sure, I’ll never forget that. I was more excited than nervous and enjoyed every bit of it,” said Parag.
Parag also mentioned gaining valuable insights on conduct from former RR captain Rahul Dravid.
“I learnt a lot. Cricket-wise, we know he’s one of the best in the business, one of the greatest cricketers of our time.”
”Outside cricket, how we should conduct ourselves, get involved with the crowd, social media, and how to generally present ourselves outside of cricket, is something I learnt a lot about, from him,” Parag added.
Due to Riyan Parag’s impressive performance with the bat, RR is presently leading the IPL 2024 points table with six victories in seven matches. They are scheduled to face five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Jaipur on April 22.
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