'Imagined hitting Mitchell Starc for 6 sixes in IPL final' - Riyan Parag invites criticism as he makes astonishing confession

Published - 03 Jun 2024, 11:17 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:12 AM

Riyan Parag, Mitchell Starc (Credits: X)

Riyan Parag never shies away from making any bold comments. Time and again, the highly-rated batsman has left the cricketing fraternity impressed as well as surprised with his bold claims.

While some just love him for having so much ability in himself, some just wait for the right opportunity to troll him. Riyan Parag experienced the latter during the last edition of the IPL when he constantly failed to perform with the bat. Just before the start of the tournament, he had taken to X to write: "My inner conscience says i’m hitting 4 sixes in an over at some point this IPL.."

Parag failed to live up to the expectations in IPL 2023 as he managed to score only 78 runs in 7 games. He managed to hit only 5 sixes in the season and was heavily criticized and trolled. The Assam star, however, responded to the criticism in style.

He scored heavily in the domestic circuit before enjoying a breakthrough season in this year's IPL. He played a key role in Rajasthan Royals' march to the playoffs. Only Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored more runs than him this season. In 16 games, Parag scored 573 runs with the help of four fifties and also broke the record for scoring the most runs in an IPL season while batting at number four.

I have visualized the craziest of things: Riyan Parag

With the IPL season done and dusted, Riyan Parag recently appeared on The Ranveer Show. During the chat show, the youngster made a bold remark that might raise a number of eyebrows. The Rajasthan Royals star revealed that he had visualized himself taking Kolkata Knight Riders star Mitchell Starc to the cleaners in the IPL 2024 final.

"I have visualized the craziest of things. We were two games away from the playoffs, and I had already imagined hitting Starc for six sixes in the final of the IPL. We need 36 runs, and I am hitting Starc for six sixes.

"In my room, I padded up, hitting those shots. So when I am there, it's nothing new for me. So
that gives me a lot of satisfaction and clarity because you are winning those games back in the room," said Parag.

Well, Parag did not really get the chance to face Starc in the final as Rajasthan Royals exited the competition at the playoffs stage. On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders went on to win the title with Starc playing a huge role in their triumph.