NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals' batting allrounder
Riyan Parag
illuminated the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with his unbeaten knock of 54 runs off 39 balls against Mumbai Indians on Monday.
Parag's outstanding performance, comprising 5 fours and 3 sixes at a striking rate of 138.46, not only secured a crucial victory for his team but also earned him the coveted 'orange cap' in the ongoing tournament.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Riyan Parag reflected on his journey, acknowledging past struggles in the IPL and emphasizing his renewed focus on simplicity in approach.
"Nothing has changed, just that I have simplified things. Before I would think about things too much, this year the goal is simple, watch the ball, hit the ball. For 3-4 years I haven't performed well (in the IPL.) When the performances are not coming, you get back to the drawing board. I practised really hard, I have practised these kind of scenarios," said the 22-year-old batsman.
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The Wankhede Stadium witnessed a thrilling showdown as the Rajasthan-based franchise clinched a resounding 6-wicket win over Mumbai Indians. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals'
Trent Boult
emerged as a formidable force, dismantling the Mumbai Indians' top-order in the powerplay and restricting them to a mere 20/4. Despite a brief resurgence led by skipper
Hardik Pandya
and Tilak Varma, Mumbai Indians succumbed to a daunting 125/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
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Rajasthan Royals' bowling duo of
Yuzvendra Chahal
and Nandre Burger further compounded Mumbai's woes, stifling their batting lineup with exemplary performances.
Chasing a moderate target, Rajasthan Royals faced early setbacks with the fall of openers Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal, followed by skipper Sanju Samson's departure. However, Riyan Parag rose to the occasion yet again, orchestrating a remarkable rescue mission with his stellar innings. His unbeaten 54* not only steered his team to victory but also cemented his reputation as a dependable match-winner.
In the aftermath of the triumph, the Rajasthan-based franchise ascended to the top of the
IPL 2024
standings with six points and an impressive net run rate of +1.249. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians find themselves languishing at the bottom of the table, yet to secure any points in the tournament.
(Inputs from ANI)