IPL 2021: Riyan Parag reveals the impact of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in his cricketing journey

A rising star in IPL, Riyan Parag has been a revelation for the Rajasthan Royals in the competition in the last two years. He hasn’t scored a truckload of runs but the manner in which it comes and the impact it does to the context of a match is big. He has played some amazing cameos from difficult situations and even in the previous encounter against the Punjab Kings, Parag’s quickfire knock of 25 of 11 deliveries almost made the difference. 

His rise to top-level cricket has been steady and he aspires to play for India in the middle order one day. In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, Parag revealed his aspirations in life and what the IPL has done to him and many more. He also spoke on the impact of MS Dhoni in his life and his exposure of rubbing shoulders with some of the best named in international cricket. 

Speaking on the impact IPL had in his life, Riyan Parag said that mentality wise its IPL has benefited him because unlike in domestic cricket teams have to wait to face a good team if they qualify for the quarter-final but in IPL getting the chance to rub shoulders with Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer has really been a learning curve for Parag. 

“Mentality wise IPL a big positive impact. When you get to play for your state you will some great players but when you play in the IPL and share the dressing room with players like Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer. These are top top players at the international level." Parag said.

"And then when you come up against people like Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni, it makes you mentally very strong. When you play the IPL, you obviously have the skill level, but what gives you the extra edge is that mental aspect. So when you play in front of big crowds on a platform like this, it gives you immense mental strength. Secondly, about life, it feels good when so many people start recognising me. That wasn't the case in Under-19 cricket, however, it's a different story and that has changed my life,” Parag added on the matter. 

A couple of years back a picture of a very young Riyan Parag along with MS Dhoni went viral and Parag says that he doesn't even remember when that he had taken a photograph with Dhoni as he was too young and he only recalled it when the picture went viral. 

“When I was small I don’t even remember taking a picture with him but when I saw it I realised that it was a long journey but then it’s very inspiring. After the match, he came up to me and said you are doing well and never let the fun aspect going away from you," Parag reminisced.

He also recalled the fact that Indian skipper Virat Kohli once told him that he won’t win the orange cap and should rather concentrate on scoring the quick 20’s and 30’s for the team and make sure that it helps the team in winning the match. 

"No, it doesn't actually [if not getting a lot of chances to bat matters to him]. I had a chat with Virat Kohli during the last IPL," Parag said.

"He specifically told me that 'you are not going to get the Orange Cap. You bat No. 5 or No. 6 so there is no point in you thinking about the Orange Cap. You just think about how you can get those crucial 20 or 30 runs and when you get the chance to go in at a crucial phase, just think how you can get the team through'," he added. 

Here is the full interview