(IPL Photo)
Riyan Parag, the promising uncapped batsman hailing from Assam, made waves with his explosive performances during the IPL 2024 season. He holds the belief that the run-scoring frenzy witnessed in the recent season is fleeting.
The IPL 2024 season concluded with numerous memorable moments, among which the prolific run-scoring stands out prominently. Teams adopted a resolute strategy to aggressively target opposing bowling attacks from the outset, marking a significant trend throughout the season.
Every team reaping benefits from this strategy, but it was the Sunrisers Hyderabad who spearheaded it. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma played pivotal roles in popularizing this approach. However, as the season progressed, the fervor surrounding it gradually waned. Nonetheless, despite this shift, fans were treated to some extraordinary batting displays.
What did Riyan Parag say?
Speaking exclusively to Hindustan Times, Riyan Parag shared his perspective on the remarkable batting performances witnessed during the IPL 2024 season. The right-handed batsman, who enjoyed his most prolific season yet, expressed his belief that the frenzy of high run-scoring was merely transient. Drawing parallels to the concept of one-season wonders among players, Parag suggested that the trend of teams consistently posting scores of 250 or more was also a phenomenon limited to just one season.
“I think it was just a one-season thing.” – Parag told Hindustan Times. The 22-year-old then proceeded to suggest that the Impact Player rule also played a significant role in the surge of massive run totals in matches.
Parag observed that the Impact substitution rule has altered the dynamics for opening batsmen, who now face the added responsibility of setting a brisk tempo for their team without risking their wickets. However, when teams opt for an aggressive approach, akin to the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s strategy, the fear of losing wickets escalates due to the inherent risks associated with such a style of play.
Parag highlighted that it’s unrealistic to expect opening pairs to consistently provide explosive starts, as was evident with the Hyderabad openers during the IPL 2024 playoffs. He believes that the Impact Player substitution has alleviated much of the pressure on openers, allowing them to play with greater freedom, reassured by the presence of an extra batsman in the lineup.
“The Impact Player rule has, of course, changed things because now openers are just hands-free and can smack from ball one.” – Parag added.
Parag holds the belief that the Impact Player rule is likely to undergo modifications in the future.
Riyan Parag confidently asserted that the Impact Player rule is destined for a short lifespan within the Indian Premier League framework. He anticipates forthcoming alterations to the rules, which will consequently reshape the IPL landscape in the future. Parag emphasized that since such a rule is unlikely to be adopted at the international level, players will need to prioritize the preservation of their wickets regardless of the format they are playing in.
That the risk-filled style of play doesn’t have a future and batters cannot give their wickets in the first ball. “I feel the rule might change and the IPL might go down differently in the future. It’s never going to happen in international cricket, right, so everyone has to value their wicket. You know you can’t lose your wicket off the first ball. – Riyan Parag concluded.
