Rajasthan Royals (RR) fast-bowling coach Lasith Malinga has backed the under-fire batter Riyan Parag, saying that the youngster hasn’t got enough opportunities to prove himself in IPL 2022 as well. Parag got out for 5 off 3 balls in Monday’s IPL 2022 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. He has scored only 48 runs in six matches so far, at an average of 9.60 and a strike rate of 133.33.
At a post-match conference after RR’s thrilling seven-run win, Malinga said: “I don’t think so (there is concern over his form). We know Riyan has the ability to win matches single-handedly. He is a big-hearted player. He hasn’t got much chance because he just plays five or 10 balls every match. I am sure he will deliver for us. The fact that he is not getting many opportunities to bat means that our top-order is doing well.” He asserted, “When we need him, he will surely deliver. He is still young and needs to prove himself. I am sure in future matches he will do a lot.”
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While Riyan Parag faced another failure, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal did exceptionally well and helped Rajasthan to register a victory with a five-wicket haul, which included a hat-trick also.
“He has a lot of international experience. He plays for the national team and in the IPL. I feel he is the most experienced leg-spinner in the country and in this tournament. He showed how great he is and the control he has over his skills. We all know that leg-spinners have more wicket-taking options. Chahal showed today how he can take wickets and change the game in a single over. I am pretty sure that all the leg-spinners are the match-winning bowlers in this competition,” he stated.
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At 178 for 4 after 16 overs, KKR were looking to win in a chase of 218. However, Chahal picked up four wickets in the 17th over to completely thrashed KKR’s innings.
“I have an opportunity to work with young bowlers, especially fast bowlers. I just want to give them a clear idea of what the team expects of them. Bowlers sometimes need to adapt to the team’s plans. You have to develop your wicket-taking options, stock ball as well as good line and length. If you have control over these three options, you can play any competitive cricket. That is what I tell the bowlers,” he concluded.
