Riyan Parag eager to make his 50th IPL match count at home

GUWAHATI: As Guwahati kept its first date with Indian Premier League on Wednesday, the loudest of cheers were reserved for home favourite Riyan Parag when the Rajasthan Royals all-rounder took a catch near the long-off boundary to dismiss Punjab Kings wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma before hitting two thundering sixes and one boundary while chasing.

However, the applause from the nearly half-empty stands was cut short as the 21-year-old departed soon, skying one to the long-off fielder. Come Saturday, only the second Assam guy to play in the cash-rich league after medium pacer Abu Nechim Ahmed, he is certain to come on field for his 50th game in the league. It’s definitely a great feat for a young guy like Riyan but he is yet to repay the faith shown by the Royals team management.

However, on the back of his exploits in the domestic season for state team Assam, one is hopeful that the youngster will finally live up to his billing. And he has only one match to enthrall the home crowd at his beautiful home ground of Barsapara Cricket Stadium here when the Royals take on Delhi Capitals in their third match of the season.



“This is my 5th year in the IPL, and I’ll be playing my 50th match tomorrow. For a kid from Assam, that just never happens. It’s a great opportunity for me to be able to sustain that and I’m grateful to the RR team management for backing me through every phase,” said Riyan ahead of the match on Friday afternoon, determined to make his mark after scoring just 27 runs in the first two games of the season.

“I have played a lot of cricket at home but playing in IPL is a different ball game altogether, and as it was the first match there were jitters as well and I think those were good jitters. But when things settled down, it felt really good to play in front of my home crowd,” added Riyan who has been in terrific form with his all-round abilities this season in Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Interestingly, the spinner all-rounder was Assam’s highest wicket taker in Ranji.

“I think they won by just 5 runs, so it was a competitive game. Prabhsimran got them to a very good start, you can’t just replicate things in this format. But I think we pulled it off really well towards the end. Yes, there were a few miscalculations during the middle overs but I think that’s part of the game,” explained Riyan when asked about their last game.

With expectations riding high on his young shoulders, a performance to remember here in his last chance this season would surely help Riyan raise his stocks in front of the home crowd. Moreover, it will also do Royals a world of good to make their bond with their second home stronger.

Riyan has got that chance and he should make it count now.

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