Riyan Parag will be the next big thing in T20 format for India: RR fielding coach Dishant Yagnik

Rajasthan Royals fielding coach Dishant Yagnik has backed emerging all-rounder Riyan Parag by saying that the youngster is the "next big thing" in the shortest format for India. Parag has been proving all his critics wrong by performing outstandingly well at the domestic circuit.

The all-rounder has been retained by RR for IPL 2023. He has been associated with the franchise since the 2019 edition and has been one of their valuable performers in the last few years. Following his splendid run at the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022, the Jaipur-based franchise decided to back him and give another opportunity for him to prove his mettle on the field.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Dishant Yagnik wrote, “Remember my words-: Riyan Parag will be next big thing in T20 format for India in coming years !!”

Yagnik concluded by tagging both Riyan Parag and the Rajasthan Royals.

Remember my words-:

Riyan Parag will be next big thing in T20 format for India in coming years !!@ParagRiyan @rajasthanroyals #riyan

— Dishant Yagnik (@Dishantyagnik77) December 13, 2022

Can Riyan Parag win hearts of his critics in IPL 2023?

Even though RR made the finals of the previous edition, Parag’s performances were dismal throughout the tournament as he could only manage to score 183 runs from 17 matches at an average of 16.64 and a strike rate of 138.64. With the ball in hand, the youngster could only register one scalp to his name from all the 17 outings at an average of 59 and an economy of 14.75.

Apart from his forgettable on-field performances, the 21-year-old was severely criticized by the fans for his on-field celebrations. In fact, the celebrations had offended people to such an extent that medium-pacer Harshal Patel refused to exchange handshakes with the youngster after a match between RR and RCB.

However, Parag would now be hoping to start afresh, having made a strong statement with his all-round brilliance in VHT 2022. The 21-year-old finished as the fifth-highest run-getter in the competition with 552 runs from nine innings at an average of 69, including three centuries and a half-century. He also made immense contributions with the ball in hand with 10 scalps to his name, which played a key role in taking Assam to the semis.