When he hit the third delivery of the final over bowled by Anrich Nortje during Rajasthan Royals’ innings for a brilliant six over cover, the ball traveled as far as 85 meters.
The two deliveries bowled previously had already been sent to the boundary ropes.
Brilliant Parag paratroops over the Delhi Capitals
But something interesting and rather important had happened for Riyan Parag on that particular occasion with half an over yet to be bowled.
In reaching 73 unbeaten runs, Parag had, in that instance, achieved his highest ever IPL score.
It was a moment to savour. It was a moment that was only going to yield yet more happiness for the young cricketer and his enterprising franchise.
But Riyan Parag, truth be told, wasn’t done just yet; there was more to come from the bat of the one who had so often been lamented prior to this inning.
The fourth delivery of the very over was sent well over deep mid wicket for a six.
The ball went several rows into the stands.
What followed immediately thereafter was another four before the last delivery yielded a single.
The young lad donning Pink had left his franchise and crowd in the pink of happiness.
However, in the process of doing so, Riyan Parag achieved something rather spectacular.
Many, especially from the Rajasthan Royals camp, would agree to the fact that the daintily-built Parag usurped a giant operating on the 22 yards.
When David mauled the Goliath
It’s one thing to pound big blows against a fast bowler in a game of T20 cricket. But it’s something quite spectacular to attack a lethal fast bowling force.
Perhaps the intrepid cricket fan will still hail the big hitting exploits of the legendary Kohli and Rohit as the premier examples of batsmanship in the Indian Premier League.
But for times to come, Riyan Parag’s ostentatious takedown of Anrich Nortje will be remembered as the moment where a David beat the Goliath.
Just how often, how many times has one come to see a bowler of the redoubtable class of the South African be only subjected to fours and sixes.
That the only occasion where Nortje leaked a single was the final delivery of the over was sufficient proof of Parag’s pounding of the lad who possesses mighty Protea fire.
Riyan Parag’s success is beyond the sphere of stats
Having said that, Riyan Parag’s successful outing against the Delhi Capitals must not only be viewed from the lens of its statistical output, speaking of which he amassed 64 of his 84 runs only by way of boundaries (7 fours and 6 sixes).
The Riyan Parag one saw in full bloom in the pink city against Delhi truly seemed a changed man.
He wasn’t the same lad we had seen before.
The commentators who couldn’t hold back their excitement in seeing the aggressive batter took note of the boy coming of age.
This, lest it is forgotten, is just a 22-year-old.
A changed approach?
It’s not the soaring strike rate. Nor is it about the bludgeoning of sixes and fours alone.
Riyan Parag, the batsman seen thus far in world cricket’s undoubtedly exciting series, seems a person intent on a mission.
And perhaps it is to change the way he approaches batting. Perhaps it is to transform the way he builds an inning; no longer the connoisseur of cameos but the builder of valuable knocks.
Lest it is forgotten, Riyan Parag began his latest IPL season with as stroke full, but also a useful 43 against the Lucknow SuperGiants.
How he might prevail in the games that lie ahead is a discussion for another day. We really can’t predict what can only be viewed in the lap of the future.
However, thus far, Riyan Parag’s approach has been methodical, mindful rather.
It is clear to us that he’s not going to give up. And nor should the fan on a growing and truly talented cricketer whose best days lie ahead of him.