NEW DELHI: Riyan Parag led Rajasthan Royals' fightback from the front with a breathtaking knock of unbeaten 84 off 45 balls that powered his side to 185/5 against Delhi Capitals after being reduced to 90/4 in 13.3 overs.
The highlight of Parag's innings was 25 runs he hammered in the last over of the innings bowled by Anrich Nortje. Parag began the over with consecutive fours before smashing a six.
Sustaining his aggressive approach, he followed up with another four and another six on the subsequent deliveries, further adding to Nortje's woes.
Hailing Parag's heroic knock, Mumbai Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav highlighted that his prediction came true when he saw him at NCA a few weeks ago.
"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 posted on X.
Speaking during the mid innings break on the misery he piled on Nortje in the last over, Parag said it was the practice that started reaping rewards now.
"It's a result of a lot of practice behind the scenes. It's not the bowler but the ball he's bowling and I practised against a lot of those balls and could execute the shots tonight. I have my options ready on both sides of the wicket, that's what I've been working on lately. I back myself, I know I have the power to dig out yorkers and hit sixes off short balls. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't," he said.
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