Rajasthan Royals (RR) batting all-rounder Riyan Parag pointed out his target in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and said the aim is to “hit the ball”. Parag played an unbeaten knock of 54 runs off 39 balls against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Monday. He hit 5 fours and 3 sixes with a strike rate of 138.46. The 22-year-old was handed the ‘orange cap’ in IPL 2024 after his blistering knock. The Rajasthan-based franchise registered a six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
During the post-match presentation, Parag acknowledged that he has not featured in the T20 tournament in the last three to four years. He added that he practiced hard this time.
“Nothing has changed, just that I have simplified things. Before I think too much about things, the goal this year is simple: look at the ball, hit the ball. For three to four years I have not performed well ( in the IPL.) If the performances don’t come, you go back to the drawing board. I have practiced very hard, I have practiced these kinds of scenarios,” Parag said.
To recap the match: After winning the toss, RR chose to bowl first. Trent Boult (22/3) destroyed the MI top order in the powerplay to reduce it to 20/4. A 56-run partnership between skipper Hardik Pandya (34 in 21 balls, with six fours) and Tilak Varma (32 in 29 balls, with two sixes) briefly brought some order to the innings before MI suffered another collapse to end at 125/ 9 off 20 overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal (3/11) and Nandre Burger (2/32) bowled well for RR and rocked the MI batting line-up with regular wickets, never giving them a chance to breathe.
In the chase, RR lost openers Jos Buttler (13), Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) while skipper Sanju Samson could only make 12 in 10 balls. Reduced to 48/3 they found themselves in a difficult situation. But Riyan Parag pulled off another brilliant save and scored 54* in 39 balls, with five fours and three sixes, taking his side to a six-wicket win with 27 balls to spare.
Akash Madhwal (3/20) was the choice of the bowlers for MI.
After the win, the Rajasthan-based franchise is at the first position in the standings with six points at a net run rate of 1,249. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya’s side are at the bottom of the table and are yet to score points.
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