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Riyan Parag, who is currently representing the East Zone in Deodhar Trophy, spoke candidly about his admiration for former India captain and maverick batter, Virat Kohli. Parag affirmed that Kohli remains his biggest and only inspiration and he doesn't look up to any other batter. The young Indian batter also revealed that he has had numerous chats with Kohli and that the Royal Challengers Bangalore superstar has offered several inputs to him.
"It (inspiration) has always been Virat Kohli. I don't look up to any other batsman, although there are great batsmen in our generation. But I just relate a lot to Virat Kohli. I speak with him often and he's just got a lot of input that I actually like and I can relate to that person. I like it when he says something, I really understand it and he makes me understand it as well," Riyan Parag said in a video shared by the BCCI.
Parag has performed superbly in the ongoing Deodhar Trophy. He rolled out East Zone's road to the final with an emphatic century against West Zone. Parag came out to bat all guns blazing and remained not out for 102 from 68 balls. His century was studded with six fours and five sixes.
The 21-year-old scored 259 runs in four matches before the final on August 3 (Thursday). The right-handed batter has struck two centuries while accumulating runs at a staggering strike rate of 133.51. With the ball too, Parag has proven himself to be a revelation in the ongoing competition. The right-arm leg-break bowler has bagged nine wickets in four matches, including two four-wicket hauls.
Meanwhile, in the 2023 Deodhar Trophy final, South Zone won the toss against Parag's East Zone and elected to bat first. South Zone got off to a flying start, scoring 79/0 after 10 overs.
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