In his first T20I of the tour against Sri Lanka, Suryakumar Yadav included Riyan Parag in the side ahead of all-rounders Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar. While Parag could not do much with the bat and got out lbw to Matheesha Pathirana, he provided glimpses of what he can do with the ball taking three wickets for just five runs from eight balls. After Parag’s three-fer helped India bowl out Sri Lanka for 170 in the final over, skipper Suryakumar said that he had already said that the young all-rounder has an ‘X-factor’.
“Ye Riyan Parag special he ho sakta hai kyuki maine usko dekha hua hai pehle bhi, IPL mein bhi bowling daalte hue, nets mein bowling daalte hue aur maine PC mein bhi bola ki usme ek X-factor hai. Aise hi agar batsman log tasty ball daalte rahenge, aur aise help karte rahenge ground pe to yaar mera kaam to asaan ho jayega. (This can only be a Riyan Parag special only because I have seen Parag bowl before in the IPL, in the nets as well. I mentioned in the press conference as well that he has an X-Factor. If batters keep dishing out such tasty balls and help like this on the ground, then my job will be easy as captain.),” Suryakumar said in a post-match video posted by the BCCI on their social media.
Parag’s three strikes
Parag was introduced in the 17th over of the innings. On the first ball, Dasun Shanaka was run out for a diamond duck. Then Kamindu Mendis got bowled as he missed the cut shot. He got to bowl the final over and knocked over tailenders Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka to wrap up the game.
Gambhir told Parag that he may be asked to bowl in slog overs
The 22-year-old Guwahati-born all-rounder said that he loves bowling and had prepared for situations like these. In addition, he had a conversation with head coach Gautam Gambhir who told him that he may get to bowl in slog overs.
“I love bowling. I bowl as much as I can behind the scenes. Nets mein bahut communication chal raha tha. Kaha bowling karna hai, kaise bowling karna hai. Aur ye stages ke liye actually preparations hui thi. Gautam (Gamhir) sir, ke sath bhi hui thi ki agar 16-17th over mei bowling aaya, wicket thoda ghoom raha hai toh kaha bowling karna hai. (There was a lot of communication in the nets, as to when I could be brought on to bowl and how to go about it. I was prepared to bowl in such a stage, I had a talk with Gautam sir as well regarding how to bowl if I have to bowl the 16th or the 17th over.)”
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