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'He Reminds Me of Suryakumar': Bond Compares Riyan Parag To India's Mr 360

Parag scored his 2nd consecutive fifty of IPL 2024 vs MI (iplt20.com)Parag scored his 2nd consecutive fifty of IPL 2024 vs MI (iplt20.com)

Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder, Riyan Parag's cricketing journey has transformed from being a constant source of social media ridicule to a player delivering outstanding performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024).

Over the last six years, despite an underwhelming batting average of around 18 and a strike rate just over 120, the Royals' faith in Parag has finally started bearing fruit in the 2024 season.


Shane Bond likens Riyan Parag to Surykumar Yadav

Once criticized for his aggressive demeanour and frequent on-field confrontations, Parag's recent heroics have not only silenced his detractors but also drawn comparisons with the world's premier T20 batter, Suryakumar Yadav.

Rajasthan Royals' bowling coach, Shane Bond recently highlighted Parag's staggering rise and burgeoning talent, likening him to Yadav's early days at Mumbai Indians. 

Bond, who has been instrumental in shaping bowling talents during his tenure with Mumbai Indians, praised Parag's maturity and cricketing intellect at just 22.

“He (Parag) sort of reminds me a little bit of Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), who came to Mumbai a few years ago. He looks like that - he has got extreme talent. He has just matured as a cricketer, even though he is only 22,” said Bond at the post-match press conference after defeating MI.

His comments came in the wake of Riyan Parag's crcuial role in Rajasthan Royals' victories in two of their first three league matches of the season, where his performances included a match-winning unbeaten 84 off 45 balls against Delhi Capitals and a steady 54* in a successful chase of 126 runs against MI.

The comparison with Suryakumar Yadav is not made lightly; Yadav's explosive batting and innovative shot-making have set him apart on the international stage. Parag's recent performances suggest a similar trajectory, marked by significant improvement and consistency.

According to Parag, the strategic decision to elevate Parag in the batting order, following a trade that saw Devdutt Padikkal leave and Avesh Khan join the team, has evidently unlocked his potential, allowing him to contribute more significantly to the team's success.

“He (Parag) has had an outstanding domestic season, obviously, batting up the order. The trade we made with Devdutt (Padikkal), bringing Avesh (Khan) in, that was to put Riyan up into a position which was probably better suited,” added the erstwhile cricketer.

It is worth mentioning that Rajasthan Royals' patience and belief in Parag, despite years of criticism and pressure to perform, reflect a commendable commitment to nurturing talent.

“We are getting the best of him. The investment that RR have made of him, it's starting to reap the rewards. It is pretty exciting what he could offer for the rest of the season for us," concluded Bond.

As the 2024 IPL season progresses, Parag's emergence as a formidable batter not only vindicates Rajasthan Royals' long-term investment but also hints at his bright future.