IPL 2024 - Riyan Parag wins hearts and Orange Cap; fans rally behind RR's rising star

While Rajasthan Royals (RR) has always been a good all-round side, one player who used to face criticism was Riyan Parag. However, the year 2024 has seen a change in his attitude and style of play as he has been impressing one and all with his performances. In Match 14 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium, he came and smashed an unbeaten 54 off 39 balls, which saw his side chase down the mere total of 125 posted by the Mumbai Indians (MI).

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The 22-year-old gave his side a 6-wicket win and took Rajasthan home with more than 4 overs to spare. This victory also saw him earning the Orange Cap, given to the batter scoring the highest runs in the tournament. Fans, too, have been mightily impressed by the young batter's character and how he has improved his game.

After this clash, RR have won three games on the trot while MI has lost as many games in the tournament so far. Coming to chase 126 runs, RR lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (10), Jos Buttler (13), and skipper Sanju Samson (12) early. However, Parag, with R Ashwin (16), continued to attack and was later joined by Shubham Dubey (8*) to finish things off in style.

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For MI, Kwena Maphaka got his maiden wicket while Akash Madhwal claimed three. Jasprit Bumrah, Gerald Coetzee, and Piyush Chawla all went wicketless.

Earlier in the innings, the MI batters fell like a pack of cards before skipper Hardik Pandya (34 off 21) and Tilak Varma (32 off 29) managed to stitch a small partnership. Rohit Sharma (0), Naman Dhir (0), impact sub-Dewald Brevis (0), and Ishan Kishan (16) fell within five overs. Piyush Chawla (3), Gerald Coetzee (4), and Tim David (17 off 24) could also not do much, with Jasprit Bumrah (8*) and Akash Madhwal (2*) remaining at the crease towards the end. After 20 overs, MI managed to post 125 runs and lost 9 wickets.

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For RR, Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal took three wickets each, with the spinner getting the big fish - Pandya out. Nandre Burger claimed two, while Avesh Khan has one to his name. R Ashwin went wicketless.

Teams:

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Tim David, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jasprit Bumrah, Kwena Maphaka

Subs: Dewald Brevis, Nuwan Thushara, Romario Shepherd, Nehal Wadhera, Shams Mulani

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Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Nandre Burger, Yuzvendra Chahal

Subs: Rovman Powell, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Sen, Shubham Dubey, Abid Mushtaq