"The last three days, I was in bed," Riyan Parag

Rajasthan Royals defeated Delhi Capitals by 12 runs in Match 9 of IPL 2024 in Jaipur on Thursday (March 28). Delhi had their chances in the game but Rajasthan won important moments to clinch the two points. 

Riyan Parag was adjudged the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 84 off 45 balls. He first stabilized the innings, scoring 26 off his first 26 balls and then scoring 58 off the remaining 19 balls to elevate the total to 185. 

“I know what my ability is and I never let that change - irrespective of whether I perform or not. A lot to do with the domestic season, where I scored a lot of runs,” Parag told.

The all-rounder revealed he was struggling with his health in the build up of the game but recovered just in time to deliver for the team. “I had to work very hard. I was on painkillers, I just got up today and I'm very happy,” Parag said.  

The 22-year old has made vital contributions in both games for RR. Continuing from his 43 off 29 balls against Lucknow, Parag now has 127 runs in the tournament at a strike rate of 171.6. 

“Someone in the top four has to take it deep. [In the] First match, Sanju bhaiya did it, today, I did it,” he spoke about his approach. 

Chasing 186, Tristan Stubbs’ unbeaten 44 off 23 balls took Delhi close. They needed 17 off the final over. The RR skipper, Sanju Samson had plenty of options given only Sandeep Sharma had completed his four-over quota until then. However, he went for Avesh Khan. The right-arm seamer repaid the faith, conceding only four runs in the final over. 

“It's all about gauging in which zone they are,” Samson spoke about his decision to bowl Avesh over the likes of Trent Boult and Nandre Burger. “You have to look at that and take your decision. I saw Sandy [Sandeep Sharma bowled the 19th over] was calm and Avesh was also looking good, so I went with that,” he explained. 

In another choice to make, Samson mentioned he was pondering about using Rovman Powell as the Impact Player in this match. RR were 36/3 in 7.2 overs when Ravichandran Ashwin was sent at number five to extend the batting resources. The move worked as Ashwin forged a 54-run stand for the fourth wicket with Parag which put the innings back on track. 

"The way we started, the first ten overs, we were like Rovman, be ready you might have to bat. The IPL is changing and we all have to be flexible. Earlier it was about 11 players, now it is about all 15 players. Me and Sanga had a lot of chat between 15th and 17th over before deciding the Impact Player,” Samson said about the dilemma. 

Ashwin and Parag’s stand ensured Rajasthan continued their plans of bringing in Nandre Burger with the ball for the second half of the game, as they did in their last fixture against Lucknow. Burger picked 2/29 with the ball in three overs. 

Rajasthan Royals will now play Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday (April 1).