'He has huge potential' - RR coach Kumar Sangakkara backs Riyan Parag to come good in IPL 2023

Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals had a good season for them in IPL 2o22. Although the team fell short of claiming their punch on the title by losing to Gujarat Titans by seven wickets in the final of the tournament, they had both orange cap and purple cap holders in their camp.

After ending up as runner-up in the 15th edition of the IPL, RR’s director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara has talked about the required rectification for the team ahead of the next season of IPL in 2023. He also pointed out the forgettable season for young batting all-rounder Riyan Parag and assured of possible grooming of the youngster. Sangakkara also praised Ashwin and defined his roles or responsibilities for the team for the next season.

Riyan Parag has got a huge amount of potential: Sangakkara

“Riyan Parag has got a huge amount of potential. We have to work him into a higher batting number next season. I look forward to grooming him to become more of an early middle-order player rather than just a death-overs hitter because he is so accomplished against spin as well as pace,” Sangakkara stated while talking on Riyan Parag in the virtual post-match press conference.

Indicating R Ashwin’s batting and bowling capabilities, the RR director opined: “Ash has done a great job for us, but even he, being a legend in what he has achieved on the pitch, there will be a lot of improvements and thinking to do, especially with his off-spinners and to bowl more of it.”

Ashwin played a vital for the Royals in IPL 2022 both with the bat and ball as he scored 191 runs in 12 innings at an average of 27.29 and a strike rate of 141.48 and claimed 12 wickets in 17 innings at an economy rate of 7.51.

To note, it was only the second time when Rajasthan Royals reached the finals of the IPL after 2008 when they defeated MS Dhoni-led CSK to claim the trophy in the inaugural edition of the league.