Rajasthan Royals stars Riyan Parag and Nandre Burger shared some lighthearted banter after helping their team beat Delhi Capitals (IPL) in an IPL 2024 match on Thursday. A rejuvenated Parag stole the show with the bat and smashed an unbeaten knock of 84 runs off 45 balls, taking RR to 185/5 in 20 overs. Burger, on the other hand, returned figures of 2/29, including two wickets in the same over to dent DC’s chase. RR held on for a narrow 12-run win as DC could manage only 173/5 in 20 overs.
Parag hit seven fours and six sixes to take Anrich Nortje to the cleaners in the final, where he scored 25 runs.
After the match, Burger was full of praise for Parag, but he also made a joke at the 22-year-old for tackling his compatriot Nortje.
“Thank you for batting so well, you gave me the chance to bowl. Without you I wouldn’t have had the chance. I’m not happy that you took a fellow countryman. But I’m happy because you’re in my team. I’m telling you, that last one was sensational,” Burger said.
Parag suggested that it was nice to get his career-best IPL score
“This is my sixth year, I was here since I was seventeen and this is my highest score. So quite satisfied and I was already planning the latter. So beautiful when a plan comes together and comes to life,” Parag responded.
Parag was named Player of the Match for his heroics. He had revealed that he felt ill before the match and had to take painkillers before taking the field.
“I worked very hard, for the last three days I was in bed, I was taking painkillers, I just got up today and I am very happy,” Parag said at the presentation ceremony.
He then credited his domestic form for his impressive start to IPL 2024.
“I know what my opinion of myself is. That doesn’t change, whether I get a clean sheet or not. That also has a lot to do with the type of season, I had a great national season and that helps. Someone in the top four has to play the 20 overs, the wicket stayed low and stopped, in the first game Sanju Bhayya did it,” he added.
(With ANI inputs)
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