Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Cricket commentary is no stranger to quirky metaphors, but Sunil Gavaskar took it to another level during the IPL 2025 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. As Riyan Parag came on to bowl his mix of slow, loopy deliveries, Gavaskar humorously compared his bowling to a variety of pakodas; ‘potato pakoda, capsicum pakoda, onion pakoda.’ The legendary cricketer described Parag’s variations as ‘mixed pakodas,’ drawing laughter from viewers and adding a light-hearted twist to the broadcast. His remark highlighted the unpredictable nature of Parag’s bowling, which has become something of a curiosity in the league.
The analogy, while humorous, also subtly hinted at Parag’s unconventional and somewhat unpolished style with the ball. Though not a specialist bowler, Parag delivered three tight overs, conceding just 21 runs and picking up the wicket of KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane. His efforts helped Rajasthan Royals apply pressure during KKR’s innings, earning him praise from the team’s spin bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, who stated that Parag had the potential to become a solid all-format all-rounder.
Riyan Parag scores 95 off 45 balls in RR's losing cause against KKR
Beyond his bowling, Riyan Parag’s real impact this season has come with the bat. Batting in the middle order, Parag has emerged as one of Rajasthan Royals’ most consistent performers. His fearless stroke play, combined with a mature approach to pacing his innings, has turned him into a dependable finisher. Even in the recent match against KKR, Parag showed his mettle with the bat and almost helped his team cross the finish line.
After losing two wickets early, Parag took charge of the innings and stayed at the crease till almost the very end, scoring 95 off 45 balls. He smashed 8 sixes and 6 fours during his innings, including five consecutive sixes in one over off Moeen Ali. His efforts went in vain as he was dismissed by Harshit Rana in the 18th over and his team lost the contest by just a single run.
