Riyan Parag is going through a ‘lean patch’ for Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kumar Sangakkara, head coach of RR addresses Riyan’s poor batting form issue after they faced defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). While right-handed batter scored 15* (12) as they were not able to chase down 155 runs, and managed 144/6 in 20 overs.
Kumar Sangakkara admits Riyan Parag is not in great form-
“In that situation, he (Parag) can just go out and hit as many sixes as quickly as he can. It’s a very clear plan that Riyan has. We had Dhruv (Jurel) to kind of take care of the place and we just needed 2-3 sixes in the middle overs,” RR’s head coach said in the post-match press conference.
The 22-year-old has so far managed 54 runs in five games, while he has been in the RR squad since 2019, but in the IPL Auction 2023, he was brought by the Royals for INR 3.8 crore. Whereas in the last edition in 2022, when Sanju Samson-led side reached the finals, Parag scored 183 runs in 17 matches with a strike rate of over 130.
Fought till the end, but it just wasn’t our night. ☹️ pic.twitter.com/zAfeDeaU8J
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 19, 2023
“He’s (Parag) been batting well in the nets. We do back our players quite well especially when he comes in to back up for us or DDP (Devdutt Padikkal) comes in as an impact substitute. Looking at the local talent that we have. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been in good form, we will assess that and address them at the training,” he further added.
Whereas in RR’s last game against LSG, Sanju Samson-led side was defeated by the Lucknow-based side by 10 runs, as they were unable to chase down the target of 155 runs set by visitors at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
“It was a tough pitch. Lucknow bowled really smartly but at the same time we should have got over the line,” concluded Sangakkara.
LSG pacer, Avesh Khan bowled the last over and with 19 runs required and six-wicket in hand, the home side lost two wickets in the form of Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel on 26 (21) and 0 (1) in the successive deliveries in 20th over.
Whereas in the IPL 2023 points table, RR after the defeat, managed to secure their top spot with four wins, while LSG is in the second position with the same number of wins.