IPL 2025: "Riyan Parag was not doing well but was still backed"- Former Rajasthan Royals teammate

Former India Under-19 player Manan Vohra has recently spoken his heart out about the time when he was playing for Rajasthan Royals and was dropped after just one game. Vohra also spoke about how Riyan Parag was backed despite repeated poor performances.

Vohra revealed how he was left disappointed after being dropped after just one low score and Parag was repeatedly backed despite disappointing performances. Afterward, he had an honest chat with Gautam Gambhir who helped in change his mindset.

Also read: IND vs BAN: Shardul Thakur's competitive cricket return finalized

Riyan Parag was not doing well but was still backed - Manan Vohra

Manan Vohra was in Rajasthan Royals at the time when a young Riyan Parag made his entry. Vohra spoke about the tough situation when he did not get many chances in the team. Vohra also revealed how Riyan Parag kept getting the chances despite not performing but he did not get to play any game.

"It's a very tough situation to not get a game. You want to play. That's all a player wants to do to get recognition. In Rajasthan Royals, Riyan Parag was like 17 when he came there, and I was there; he used to gel up with me a lot because, as a big brother to him, I used to be around him and guide him," Vohra mentioned during a podcast on Taruwar Kohli YouTube channel.

"He started getting the opportunities. He has always had the ability of brutal striking. He got the opportunities but there was a stage when he was not doing well but got the backing. I didn't feel bad that he was getting the backing, and I didn't, but I wanted that I should also get it," he added.

Manan Vohra reveals how Gautam Gambhir changed his mindset

Manan Vohra further revealed how a chat with Gautam Gambhir helped him change his negative mindset. Vohra was later signed by Lucknow Super Giants where Gautam Gambhir was the mentor

"It remained inside me for a couple of years till the time I met Gautam Gambhir at Lucknow, he was the mentor there two years back. Since Kings XI times, he has been keen to sign me for KKR when he was the captain. Finally, he got me into LSG. In my last season at LSG, I got a game against Chennai Super Kings, it was a washed-out game where I got out for 15-20 on a challenging Lucknow wicket after getting set," Vohra said on the podcast.

"I was dropped the next game. Then came the qualifiers game, and there was a discussion on team combination, I was batting in the nets and having a good batting session. I went to Gambhir and had a chat with him. He told me, "You're batting well," then I told him that I wanted to have a chat with you. I told him that I got just one match and got dropped. I am batting well, and anyone can get out in one match, and that was also a washout game," he added.

"Life is different for everyone" - Gautam Gambhir's straight-forward reply to Manan Vohra

Gautam Gambhir's blunt reply once left Vohra shocked but it gave him a reality check about the high competition in the league. The 31-year-old revealed how it gave him the confidence and determination to move ahead rather than blaming the circumstances that are not in control.

"He answered me very plainly-sweetly-simply and said, "Life is different for everyone; some players get eight matches, some get just one. It's not everyone gets the same amount of matches, but if you have got one match, then you have to do it in that one match only, end of story," and I was like stunned. I could have got offended, but I realized the depth of that conversation when he said if you are so good, then even if you have got one match, then you have to prove yourself and move ahead," said Vohra.

After his stint with Lucknow Super Giants, Gautam Gambhir moved to Kolkata Knight Riders to join the team as the mentor in IPL 2024. KKR went on to win the title this year. Further, Gambhir left KKR to join Team India as the head coach.

Riyan Parag was signed by Rajasthan Royals when he was just 17. He started well but then faded away for a few years with disappointing performances. Just when it looked like his time was over, Riyan Parag came back with a bang with a memorable IPL 2024 season with the bat.

In IPL 2024, Riyan Parag scored 573 runs at an average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.22. Riyan Parag was backed all these years by Rajasthan Royals and he finally proved his selection right.

Meanwhile, Manan Vohra has played 53 matches in IPL at an average of 22.43 and a strike rate of 130.61. Currently, the 31-year-old opener is in Lucknow Super Giants but it can be changed in the IPL 2025 mega auction.