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Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Riyan Parag smashed Delhi Capitals fast bowler Anrich Nortje for 25 runs in the last over of the first innings. With this final flurry, Parag powered a struggling Royals side at 90-3 in 13.3 overs to a competitive total of 185 in 20 overs. The 22-year-old faced a lot of flack from fans and the media for a mediocre 2023 season but since has made massive improvements.
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The signs were evident in the first match where he scored 45 against the Lucknow Super Giants. Then in the second game, Parag came when the score was 30-2 in 5.2 overs and batted steadily to control the innings. The Odisha batter managed 26 in 26 balls and then exploded as he took Kuldeep Yadav.
Riyan Parag smashes Anrich Nortje for 25 runs in 20th over
As Parag stayed in the middle, his confidence grew, allowing him to take Mukesh Kumar and Anrich Nortje in the death overs. He and Shimron Hetmyer scored 15 in the penultimate over before Parag took over. The 22-year-old started the 20th over with two fours before hitting a six. Parag found another boundary before smashing a maximum on the fifth ball and then finished the innings with a single, taking the score to 185.
I have worked hard and seeing the fruits of it: Riyan Parag
Reacting to this knock, Parag in the mid-innings show, said, "I have put in a lot of practice, I've practised against those kind of (bowling of Nortje). I had my options ready for both sides of the wicket - I was backing my strengths, I know I had the power, it's good when it comes off."
"Sanju bhai told me to take it deep, I was confident that I could get a lot of runs. It wasn't easy for a new batter to come and score, you needed someone to stay until the end. It's been tough, I'm a bit emotional now, I have worked hard and seeing the fruits of it now."