I have really been enjoying Riyan Parag's fielding in last 15 matches: Lasith Malinga

Former Sri Lankan bowling legend and Rajasthan Royals bowling coach, Lasith Malinga has lauded the young all-rounder Riyan Parag for his fielding heroics for the men in pink in the IPL 2022 so far. Malinga said that he is impressed with the instinct shown by Riyan while fielding for the team.

Parag bagged 16 catches and surpassed the record of senior Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for being a fielder (non-wicketkeeper) in IPL to take the most number of catches in a single edition. Malinga also spoke about how he felt after watching Parag as a good fielder for his side in this edition.

Riyan Parag is so athletic, he is always in the game – Lasith Malinga

“I have really been enjoying Riyan’s fielding in the last 15 matches. He has so much energy, he is so athletic. He is always in the game, we all know he didn’t get too many opportunities to bat. But the energy he brings with his game on the field is amazing. I don’t think you can see it in any other team. I am so happy with the energy and attitude that he brings to the team. This is the attitude we need,” Malinga Said while featuring in a video posted on the Instagram handle of Rajasthan Royals.

After getting a chance to bat in 13 innings of the total 16 matches he played for the Royals this season, Parag managed to score a total number of 168 runs with a low batting average of 16.80 and a strike rate of 143.59. His highest individual score was 56* off 31 balls against RCB in a league match played at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Sports Academy.

The Assam cricketer has been a part of the Royals franchise since the IPL 2019 when they bought him first for INR 20 Lakhs. He was released by the Royals earlier this year ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022 and then, RR went to buy him again for an amount of INR 3.80 crores after going through a bidding war with teams including the likes of CSK, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Titans.