Riyan Parag has been hailed for trusting Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma in the death overs, a brave call he took as a captain against CSK
GUWAHATI, March 31: Riyan Parag has received plaudits from a whole lot of cricketing greats, including a former CSK teammate of MS Dhoni, for his brave captaincy calls during yesterday’s IPL match against Chennai Super Kings played at Guwahati which Rajasthan Royals won by 6 runs.
Riyan Parag had a great day yesterday, as he culminated the three matches he captained with a memorable victory, the first for the Royals this season.
Besides scoring a patient 37-run knock, the sensational catch he took to send the dangerous Shivam Dube back to the dugout, and the decision to give the 19th and 20th overs to Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma respectively while Jofra Archar was still available proved crucial in RR’s first victory of IPL 2025.
Former Indian cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Harbhajan Singh hailed Riyan for the brave captaincy calls he took saying it was “great captaincy” on the part of the young cricketer.
“Brave call by young RR captain Riyan Parag. It takes guts to give Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma 19th and 20th overs ahead of international star Jofra Archer in a tight game. And this when Dhoni is at crease,” Kaif said in the video he uploaded on his social media handles.
Harbhajan Singh, who once played alongside MS Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings, said Riyan’s one-handed catch to dismiss Shivam Dube, who was looking in good touch, was the turning point of the match, one that tilted the game heavily in favour of Rajasthan Royals.
He also heaped praises on Riyan for giving Maheesh Theekshana the 18th over which yielded just six runs meaning CSK would need 39 from the last two.
The former CSK offspinner praised Riyan Parag for trusting Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande over a bowler of Jofra Archer’s stature and labelled it a “bold decision”.
Riyan, meanwhile, termed his decision to go with Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma and not Jofra Archer as a “situational call” and that he did “what he felt instinctive as a captain”.
CSK fell six runs short while chasing 183 for victory after Rajasthan Royals, who were asked to bat first by CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, made 182/9 in the stipulated 20 overs.
Nitish Rana, promoted up the order at No. 3, scored a breezy 33-ball 81 while skipper Riyan Parag made 37 from 28 balls.
RR with two points from three matches are at the ninth position in the points table while CSK, also with two points, are seventh.
