Riyan Parag came up with the perfect response to his T20 World Cup snub, during a post-match IPL 2024 press conference.
Riyan Parag has been one of the star performers in IPL 2024, silencing his trolls with some swashbuckling batting displays. Having been promoted to no. 4 in the Rajasthan Royals batting order this season, he has responded with four half-centuries and is his side’s highest run-scorer this season. Meanwhile, he is also fourth in the Orange Cap race with 409 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 159.14.
Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag plays a shot.(AFP)
Prior to IPL 2024, he wasn’t even in consideration for challenging in the Orange Cap race, but he has built on his form from the domestic season, where he was a success. Many fans and experts also wanted him to get selected in India’s T20 World Cup squad, but sadly the youngster from Assam was snubbed.
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Reacting to the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee ignoring him for the ICC tournament, he revealed that he wasn’t disappointed at all. Speaking during the SRH vs RR post-match press conference, he said, “Not really. Until last year, I was not even in contention to play in IPL right?”
“So I have heard a few rumours. I am not on social media anymore. I heard few noises here and there but I am just glad they are taking my name for the right reasons now. I was not really thinking about anything. I am really happy for the boys in our team, Sanju bhaiya specially, getting the call-up. It is going to be great for our country and hopefully we bring the World Cup home,” he added.
Parag got his fourth IPL 2024 half-century against SRH on Thursday, but it wasn’t enough as RR crashed to a narrow one-run defeat in their run chase. Parag smacked 77 off 49 balls as RR reached 200/7 in 20 overs, in their chase of 202 runs.
RR are on top of the IPL 2024 points table with 16 points in 10 games. They look set to qualify for the playoffs and a IPL title will be huge boost to Parag’s resume and could guarantee a Team India selection after the T20 World Cup.
