3 Last Days We Were In Bed, We Were On Painkillers: Parag Achi-News

Jaipur, March 28: The architect of Rajasthan Royals’ victory over Delhi Capitals, young batsman Riyan Parag on Thursday revealed that he was unwell for the past three days and had to take painkillers to recover in time for their IPL match here.

Touted as an exciting talent, the 22-year-old from Assam finally took off as he slammed a blistering 84 not out off 45 balls to seal a 12-run win for Rajasthan Royals against Delhi Capitals.

“I have worked very hard, the last 3 days I was in bed, I was on painkillers, I got up today and I am very happy,” said Parag, who was awarded Player the Game, during the corresponding post-presentation.

Despite his talent, Parag has struggled to live up to expectations and had tremendous numbers to show in recent seasons but his hard work paid off as he hit his highest IPL score to lift RR to 185 for 5 here.

“(Emotions) They have settled, my mother is here, she has seen the fight, the last 3-4 years,” he said.

“I know what I think about myself. That doesn’t change whether I get a zero or not.” He played as a finisher in the earlier editions but this time, the team management gave him an extended role at No. 4. Parag was also coming into’ r season after scoring many runs in the Deodhar and Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s trophy.

“That’s a lot to do with the type of season as well, I had a great domestic season and that helps,” he said.

“Someone in the top four has to play the 20 overs, the wicket was keeping low and stopping, in the first match Sanju bhayya did that.” Parag’s performance also impressed his captain Sanju Samson.

“Riyan Parag has been a big name in recent years. Wherever I go, people ask me about it. There is something very special that he can bring to Indian cricket,” Samson said.

RR got off to a disastrous start as they were 36 for 3 in the eighth over but Parag slowly built up his innings before picking up speed in the end to lift them to a good total.

“The way we started, the first ten overs, we were like Rovman, be prepared you might have to bat! The IPL is changing and we all have to be flexible,” said Samson.

RR’s decision to bring in Nandre Burger as an impact player, replacing Shimron Hetmyer also paid off as the South African pacer struck twice in the fourth over.

“Earlier there were about 11 players, now there are about 15 players in total. Sanga and I had a lot of chat between 15th and 17th over before deciding on the Impact Player. It’s about measuring what zone they are in. You have to look at that and make your decision.

“I saw Sandy (Sandeep Sharma) calm and Avesh (Khan) also looked good, so I went with that,” he added referring to the brilliant death bowling by the two pacers.” Talking about his strategy for the final over, Avesh, who defended 17 runs in the final, said: “My plan is always clear. One side was longer, so my plan was to bowl wide yorkers.

“I was giving myself five seconds and just thinking about executing them. My focus is always on the execution and back my yorkers.

“Enjoying myself here because we have Sandeep, Boult, Burger, and they all have different skills. Samson gives me freedom to execute and only steps in if he sees I’m struggling.

“I try to improve myself every time. In T20s I try to reinvent myself. I never think about selection and just practice what I want to bowl.” PTI ATK PDS PDS

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from the feed of a syndicated news agency – PTI)