Riyan Parag tried to learn from these players.
During IPL 2019, Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Riyan Parag made all the headlines when his 31-ball 47 helped his side register a thrilling three-wicket victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Rajasthan Royals starlet showed a fearless batting brand in what was only his debut season and was at his best attacking. Parag scored 160 runs from seven matches at a strike-rate of nearly 130 and made himself a name.
The Rajasthan Royals starlet talks about cricketers who inspired him, his stint with the Royals, and more in an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda. “When the Royals signed me, I felt it was a dream come true, and I was happy because the IPL is one of the world’s largest leagues in cricket. It was a surreal feeling to get picked up by the Royals, the inaugural season winners,” Parag said.
He feels lucky to be playing alongside greats like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. As a youth, players are always inclined to imitate their idols. Parag was no different, but some may be shocked by her selection. He confesses that he has copied Virat Kohli. His under-19 surprisingly went well with that stance. Rohit Sharma, too, remains unchanged. Parag says his charm has made him copy his stance. He tried to copy Smriti Mandhana also. However, he could suit himself to the style of the stylish left-hander.
And when probed about modeling his batting style similar to any of the senior cricketers, Parag says he’s taken inspiration from many players. Still, currently, he’s sticking to his own style.
Parag is very mature in knowing how he wants to go about juggling his cricket, fitness and gaming love for a young man who is only 18 years old. The youngster from the Rajasthan Royals says he thinks of a match just half an hour before it starts, and believes in doing well under pressure.
Parag spends his free time off the cricket field in gaming, which allows him to keep his mind away from the game and to remain comfortable. The youngster, however, remains determined to work hard and do everything in his power to realize his dream of playing for his country.
