Riyan Parag who is a part of the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021 has revealed what batting tips Virat Kohli gave him during last year’s IPL. Riyan Parag who has become a vital cog in the Rajasthan Royals set up disclosed that Virat Kohli told him not to worry about the Orange Cap and just focus on batting well.
Riyan Parag has become a permanent member of the Rajasthan team because of his explosive batting and off-beat bowling. He often pitches in with a few overs in the game. He was part of their first game in 2021 where he blasted his way to a quickfire 25 of just 11 deliveries. He hit 3 sixes and 1 four in his short cameo at the crease. With the ball, he picked the crucial wicket of Chris Gayle.
Focus on the crucial runs – Virat Kohli to Riyan Parag
While talking to Cricbuzz, Riyan Parag said that Virat Kohli told him to focus on getting crucial runs for the team and not worry too much about the Orange Cap. The youngster from Assam also added that this was told to him by the Indian skipper during last year’s IPL when the Royal Challengers Bangalore locked horns with Rajasthan Royals.
“I had a chat with Virat Kohli during the last IPL. He specifically told me that ‘you are not going to get the Orange Cap. You bat No. 5 or No. 6 so there is no point in you thinking about the Orange Cap.
“You just think about how you can get those crucial 20 or 30 runs and when you get the chance to go in at a crucial phase, just think how you can get the team through. So that really fit in my mind and now I don’t think about how many runs I’m getting, I just think how my runs are benefiting the team,” said Riyan Parag.
The youngster also said that playing the IPL gives players a lot of mental strength and boosts their confidence. Riyan Parag has grown in stature ever since he made his first impression in the cash-rich league a couple of seasons back.
When you play the IPL, you obviously have the skill level, but what gives you the extra edge is that mental aspect. So when you play in front of big crowds on a platform like this, it gives you immense mental strength,” he added.
Riyan Parag was picked in Rajasthan Royals before the 2019 IPL for 20 lakhs. Before playing the IPL, he was an important part of the 2018 India U-19 squad that won the World Cup.