Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) brought massive relief for the team. RR was well placed in the points table, but they’re riding on the performances of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top.
Dhruv Jurel also contributed decently, but the form of the middle order was a concern. On days when the top order didn’t fire, the team struggled. In the first eight games the Royals played this season, the middle order (4-7) averaged only 21.10, which is the second-worst among all teams after Lucknow Super Giants.
But Tuesday, April 29, was different as the chased 223 comfortably. Captain was under pressure after a series of low scores, and while he didn’t play a match-winning knock, it was definitely game-changing. Parag’s quick-fire 29 in 16 kept the required rate in check, and Donovan Ferreira’s 52 in 26 turned the game in RR’s favour. Shubham Dubey, who came in as an impact player, also made a significant contribution and scored 31 in 12 to seal the game for his side.
Riyan Parag Dismisses Middle Order Concerns
Following the win, RR captain dismissed criticism of the RR middle order, saying the team never discussed it in the dressing room and the noise was mostly coming from outside.
“The concerns were apart from us, was from everyone else. Everyone watching, everyone commentating. That was their concerns, not our concerns. We trust our players and their abilities a lot. When the middle-order doesn’t fire, the openers, number three and the lower order have to like pick it up. When the middle-order fires and someone from the top doesn’t get runs or goes at a slower rate, we pick it up. So as a team, I feel we have confidence and trust in every one of them. All the reasons and all the worries are outside, not for us,” he said in the post-match chat.
Parag also lavished praise on Ferreira and said that his knock took the game away from the Punjab Kings. When Parag was dismissed, the match was evenly poised, with RR needing 72 in 36 balls. With spinners bowled out, it was up to the pacers, and Ferreira, Shubham Dubey didn’t miss out. Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen and Lockie Ferguson were all taken to the cleaners as RR completed a smooth chase.
“I think him and Don, the way they played, they took it away from Punjab. I honestly thought it was going to be a very neck-to-neck because they would bowl a little bit more slower balls after watching us bowl it. But yeah, I think the way they batted, immense, like commendable,” Parag added.
‘Plan Was To Keep Wickets In Hand’ – Parag
Parag revealed that the plan was to keep wickets in hand, but also keep the required run rate in check. He credited the openers, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who added the 51-run partnership in just over three overs to give the team a perfect start in a tall chase.
“I think the plan was to keep wickets in hand, but not fall too behind the run-rate. The way the openers went, Vaibhav and Jaiswal, I feel it just made our jobs very easier as usual. But the tough part was after the powerplay, keeping that momentum, keeping going at 10 an over. I think right after the powerplay, we got like overs of five, eight and something like that. So we got behind a little bit, but then we picked it up again,” said Parag.