'He is a changed guy’ - Suryakumar Yadav recalls meeting Riyan Parag ahead of IPL 2024

Assam and Rajasthan Royals batter Riyan Parag has completely changed his fortunes in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) as the youngster has been in brilliant form in the first two matches of the season. The 22-year-old started the 17^th edition of the tournament with a brilliant 43 (29) against Lucknow Super Giants and later registered the highest score of his IPL career with a scintillating knock of 82* (52) against Delhi Capitals in RR’s second game of the season.

Following his stupendous show with the bat, Parag earned praise from India and Mumbai Indians batter Suryakumar Yadav who recalled a meeting with the youngster at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Yadav disclosed that he met the RR batter at the NCA who had come with a slight niggle and immediately spotted a newfound focus and discipline in the youngster.

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“Met a guy at NCA few weeks ago. He came with a slight niggle. Completely focused on his recovery and with great discipline working on his skills. And I was not wrong to tell that to one of the coaches there ‘He is a changed guy’ RIYAN PARAG 2.0 🔥 Watch out,” wrote Suryakumar Yadav on his X account.

Notably, Parag registered third half century in IPL against Delhi Capitals as he played the innings of his career in the T20 extravaganza. The right-handed batter was vary of the situation early on scoring just 15 runs off the first 19 deliveries after RR lost three wickets in the first eight overs.

Parag smacked 25 runs in Anrich Nortje's last over

However, he quickly shifted gears in the 13^th over as he smacked a half-tracker from Kuldeep Yadav into the stands for a maximum. He further took on Khaleel Ahmed in the 15^th over by clobbering him for six and consecutive boundaries. He finally brought up his fifty in the 16^th over by dispatching Mukesh Kumar over his head for a straight six.

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Parag further took on Anrich Nortje in the last over as he managed to get 25 runs against him and propelled Rajasthan’s score to 185/5 in their allotted 20 overs.