IPL 2024: Eoin Morgan lauds Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals for persisting with Riyan Parag during lean years

After years of disappointment in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Riyan Parag is gradually starting to live up to his potential this season and is garnering adulation from fans as well as experts.

The right-handed batter made his IPL debut in 2019 for Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium against Chennai Super Kings. He played seven matches in that season and scored 160 runs at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 126.98. However, he wasn't able to build on his decent first season. In the next four editions of the IPL, Parag had woeful averages of 12.28, 11.62, 16.64, and 13 respectively. However, the Royals kept on giving him opportunities and finally, the Assam cricketer is repaying their trust in him in the ongoing edition of the IPL.

In the first two matches, Parag has 43 off 29 balls against Lucknow Super Giants and 84 not out off 45 balls against Delhi Capitals, respectively. Rajasthan went on to win both encounters and currently find themselves at second on the points table, only behind defending champions Chennai Super Kings.

Also Read: 'If I could play so well in domestic cricket, why couldn’t I do the same here?' — Riyan Parag after match-winning knock against DC

Following a couple of impressive outings, former English captain Eoin Morgan heaped praise on the 22-year-old's ball-striking ability and noted that he has learned from his mistakes.

“He is still a very young man in cricketing terms. To strike as well as he has done… even though he has made mistakes over the years, he is proving that he is learning from those. It's one thing saying hard work and dedication and discipline and various different things, but it has to present itself with opportunities,” Eoin Morgan said on JioCinema.

Also Read: ‘In the next two years, Riyan Parag is playing for India’ — Irfan Pathan predicts after batter's sensational start to IPL 2024

Morgan also lauded the Rajasthan management and their skipper Sanju Samson for having faith in Parag's abilities and persisting with him even when he was failing to deliver for the past few seasons.

“When it comes to the backing and the clarity that Sanju Samson has given him at the beginning of the tournament, it says a lot. We know how IPL teams, particularly when it comes to the selection of final XI, they chop and change. But to come out before the season and make that statement, I think it's been a great call,” Morgan further added.

The Guwahati-born is currently the second-highest run-getter in the tournament, having scored 127 runs from two games. He is only 16 runs behind the Orange Cap holder Heinrich Klaasen.