IPL 2024: In-form Riyan Parag smashes his highest score of tournament

New Delhi: Riyan Parag struck his highest score in the Indian Premier League in Rajasthan Royals’ home game against Delhi Capitals in Jaipur on Thursday.

Batting at No.4, Parag smashed 84 not out off 45 balls to single-handedly took Rajasthan to 185 for 5 after Delhi won the toss and opted to bowl.

In his new batting position, Parag began IPL 2024 in blazing fashion, scoring 43 in the Royals’ first match, which they won by 20 runs against Lucknow Super Giants.

At the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Parag was again at his punitive best, blasting 25 runs off South African pacer Anrich Nortje with scores of 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 1 in the final over.

Promoted up the order, the right hander hit seven fours and six sixes in his innings to pull Rajasthan to a fighting total.

The 22-year-old shared 54 and 52 run stands with Ravichandran Ashwin (29) and Dhruv Jurel (20) s respectively after Rajasthan’s innings trembled upfront.

Before Thursday, Parag had scored only two half centuries despite playing in the IPL since 2019. But this year, given a chance to bat higher up, Parag has excelled.

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Parag 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 mys strengths, I know I had the power, it’s good when it comes off.

“Sanju (Samson) 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.”