"Ego is still there…" - Brad Hogg's blunt take on Riyan Parag; lauds RR's dominance with bold statement

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg heaped praise on Rajasthan Royals (RR) player Riyan Parag for his remarkable growth and maturity in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024).

Rajasthan Royals (RR) are in red-hot form in the ongoing IPL 2024, where they are the only unbeaten team this season at the moment. The Royals have won all four of their games so far in the IPL 2024, setting the tournament ablaze with their stellar performances.

While stalwarts like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult have delivered as expected, it's the emergence of Riyan Parag as a mature and key player that has caught the attention of cricket pundits and fans as well.

Brad Hogg lauds Riyan Parag's growth in IPL 2024

As Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to host Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 24th game of the ongoing IPL 2024 in Jaipur on Wednesday, April 10, Hogg lauded Parag for his newfound focus on team objectives over personal milestones, saying it is a massive evolution in his approach to the game.

Hogg mentioned that Parag had an ego in the last IPL season, and even though there is still an ego in him, it is in control. But now he believes in himself and thinks about himself, and that really impressed him.

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The Australian cricket expert also said that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are the best-balanced team in the ongoing IPL 2024, and their campaign warranted his statement. However, Hogg feels Sandeep Sharma’s return to the playing XI will further bolster RR’s strength in the tournament.

"I love his energy": Hogg on Parag

Brad Hogg said on the podcast with NDTV: “According to me, Rajasthan Royals are the best-balanced team in the tournament. I like the way they have set their entire lineup. If Sandeep Sharma can get fully-fit as well, then he can add up as the sixth bowling option for them.”

Praising Parag, the Aussie noted: “And I really like it when I am seeing young (Riyan) Parag. He is the youngest player to hit a fifty in the history of IPL. I love his energy and I love the way he fields. I think he has really matured this year. Last year, I guess he had a bit of a strut on him.”

Hogg signed off by saying, “I don't say this disrespectfully but I think he had a bit of ego last year. The ego is still there but it is in control. He believes in himself and he is now more worried about what he can do for the team rather than trying to seal his place in the team.”

Notably, Parag has so far amassed 185 runs at an impressive average of 92.50 and a blistering strike rate of 158.12 in his four outings for the RR in the ongoing IPL 2024 so far. Earlier, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra also lauded Parag and said that he has the ability to counter Gujarat Titans’ (GT) spin attack when the RR host them in Jaipur on Wednesday.