IPL 2024: Riyan Parag opens up on cracking code to smash yorkers and short balls for boundaries

Rajasthan Royals batter Riyan Parag has delivered with the bat thus far in IPL 2024, scoring 127 runs batting at number four in two games. His incredible unbeaten 84 off 45 balls against Delhi Capitals the other night in Jaipur is his best score in the tournament. Parag feels the rigorous training and sheer power have helped him realise his true potential at the grander stage.

Following a shallow last season, wherein he scored a mere 78 runs in seven outings at an average of 13 and strike rate of 118.18, Parag worked hard on his game and kept delivering at every tournament since. Although he suffered a niggle in the lead-up to the 17th edition of the cash-rich league, Parag trained hard at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to attain full fitness and enter the tournament oozing with confidence.

One of India’s star T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, was present at the NCA to witness the rise of Parag as a batter, sharing his experience on his social media handle just after Parag thrashed DC bowlers.

“Met a guy at NCA a 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”.

However, after going berserk against Delhi quickie Anrich Nortje in the final over, smashing him for 24 runs in boundaries, including hitting two sixes and three fours, Parag said, "I think it's a result of a lot of practice behind the scenes. I think it's not about the bowler but the ball he is bowling, and I practised a lot of those balls, and I could execute a few of them tonight."

"I always have my options ready on both sides of the wicket. That's what I've been working on lately, and I just back myself," Parag said.

"I know I've got the power and the strength to dig out Yorker balls or even hit sixes off the short balls. So, I'm just backing myself, and whenever it comes, I'm going to hit a boundary. Sometimes, it does work out, and sometimes it doesn't,” Parag continued.

Parag’s innings breakdown against DC

Coming in at 30 for two, Parag saw off the new ball movement and built a stand with Ravi Ashwin (promoted to number 5) before going berserk during the fag end of the innings.

"Sanga [Kumar Sangakkara, Royals head coach] came in, and Sanju [Samson] bhaiyya [brother] came in and told to take it [the innings] deep. I was confident in myself that if I did take it deep, I could get a lot of runs at the end. So someone coming in new...it isn't that easy. For someone staying and knowing the wicket, it's a little easier, and I just backed myself,” Parag said.