In an intriguing conversation with his father ahead of the Rajasthan Royals’ first game in the IPL 2024 season, Riyan Parag was asked a simple yet profound question – did he comprehend the reasons behind the trolling he frequently endures? Grappling with extensive criticism on various fronts, the Royals’ batsman offered a response that would soon manifest its sheer brilliance on the playing field.
Impressively, in the first two games of the season, Parag recorded a swift 43 off 29 balls in the opener and a personal-best majestic 84 from a mere 45 balls. This impressive performance swiftly transformed the wave of criticism into an outpouring of praise from all corners. Previously, during his initial five seasons with the Royals, he had accumulated only 600 runs in 54 matches. However, in just two outings this season, he has already amassed 127 runs and shows no signs of slowing down. His coming of age is so evident that even the renowned Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged it following Parag’s game-changing innings against the Delhi Capitals.
Parag’s unforgettable moment arrived on a Thursday against the Capitals in Jaipur. Not merely due to the remarkable statistics – scoring 84 runs off 45 balls – but also because of the challenging pitch conditions that had stumped experienced teammates like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The significance lay in how he revamped the Royals’ fortunes, entering the crease at a precarious 30/2 in just over five overs, and taking them to a competitive score of 185/5. It was the patience and effort he exerted to amass runs on the unpredictable surface that he will reflect upon. The highlight was his staggering exploit of blasting 25 runs in the final over from the world-renowned bowler, Anrich Nortje.
This success story is a testament to Riyan Parag’s mental fortitude. He drew media attention even when not on strike. A recent interview with the Indian Express revealed Parag’s frustration: “People have a problem with me chewing gum. If my collar is up, that’s a problem. I celebrate after taking a catch, that’s a problem. They have a problem with me gaming and playing golf in my off time.”
But now, he has responded on the pitch. “Emotions are settled, mom is here, she has seen the struggle, the last 3-4 years. I know what my opinion is about myself. That does not change regardless of whether I get a zero or not,” he stated in a post-match comment following the victory over Delhi Capitals.
Riyan’s triumphant domestic season also provided considerable momentum, with an accumulation of 1242 runs across formats including the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, Deodhar Trophy, and the Ranji Trophy. He attributed much of his success to this splendid domestic run, remarking, “That’s a lot to do with the type of season as well, I had a great domestic season, and that helps.”
Yet, perhaps what proved most pivotal was the motivational dialogue with his father. Reported by the newspaper, his father inquired before the 2024 season, “Do you know why they troll you?” To which Riyan had confidently replied, “Dad, there is expectation, people want me to succeed, and that’s why I am at the receiving end. The day I will start scoring consistently, these trolls will sing my name.” And true to his word, he has started a new chapter where many may have indeed begun to sing praises in his name.
