Delivering match-winning performances while batting in the lower order is an art that only MS Dhoni has mastered, said Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Riyan Parag ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
While the 21-year-old is happy to play the role of a finisher, he would like to bat at No. 4 for the Royals if given a choice.
"If they (Royals) were to ask me where I want to bat, I would say No. 4. But, then, like always, I am open to bat wherever the team needs me and wherever they think I fit the best. It is a team game; whichever way the combinations match up, I am happy to contribute," Parag told PTI.
"I have been doing the finishing role for the last three years now. There is just one name that comes to my mind which I also have said before, MS Dhoni. I do not think anyone else has mastered that art. Going into that role, I always look up to him, how he finishes games or how he takes the game deep," he added.
Having performed exceptionally well for Assam in domestic cricket this season, Parag is confident of a strong show in the forthcoming IPL.
Riyan Parag had an underwhelming IPL last season as he scored 183 runs in 17 games at an average of 16.64 with only one fifty.
Nonetheless, he has confidence in his skills and displayed it in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022-23, amassing 552 runs from 9 innings at an average of 69 with three hundreds. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, he scored 253 runs at a strike rate of 165.35 with two fifties.
"I had a very good domestic season and, in the buildup for the IPL, we have had a few camps in Jaipur. Everyone has looked in good touch with both the bat and the ball. I do not think the confidence part has changed; I have always been confident. The performances have come through, so that adds a different dimension to the mental state that any player has. When you are confident and have performances to back you, it gives an extra oomph of self confidence," he said.
Parag also stated that he has worked hard to improve his bowling. "I feel there has been a big improvement (in my leg-breaks) since I have bowled a lot of overs this season. I have bowled more than 350 overs. I put in a lot of work in my bowling so that I am able to chip in whenever my team needs me."
Riyan Parag has been a victim of social media trolling in recent years, but it does not affect him anymore.
"Earlier, it did affect me and it hampered my performance. But now I am pretty straight on what I want to do on social media. I have a lot of strong opinions; I just like to state them and I am not waiting for anyone else to reply or give their opinions," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
