“Riyan Parag Had Bit Of Ego Last Year, It’s Still There But…”: Ex Australia Star’s Bold Verdict

The only unbeaten team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, Rajasthan Royals are off to a flying start to the new campaign, thanks to an all-round show by the players. The likes of Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, etc. have delivered as per the expectations. But, one player who has done more than what was expected of him is Riyan Parag. The all-rounder has emerged as a more mature player this season, becoming a pillar for the team.

As the Royals gear up for the match against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg couldn’t stop lauding Riyan Parag for the maturity he has shown this season.

In a podcast on YouTube, Hogg highlighted how Parag has learned to channelise his energy and is more focused on the team’s targets this year than his own.

“According to me, Rajasthan Royals are the best-balanced team in the tournament. I like the way how they have set their entire lineup. If Sandeep Sharma can get fully-fit as well, then he can add up as the sixth bowling option for them.

“And I am really liking when I am seeing young (Riyan) Parag. He is the youngest player to hit a fifty in the history of IPL. I love his energy and I love the way he fields. I think he has really matured this year. Last year, I guess he had a bit of a strut on him. I don’t say this disrespectfully but I think he had a bit of ego last year. The ego is still there but it is in control. He believes in himself and he is now more worried about what he can do for the team rather than trying to seal his place in the team,” Hogg told NDTV during the podcast.

Parag made his debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2019 but finally seems to be repaying the franchise’s faith in him this year. In 4 matches this campaign, Parag has scored 185 runs at an average of 92.50 with a strike-rate of 158.12.