DC vs RR | Twitter and Hetmyer left awestruck after Parag demolishes Nortje with 25-run final over
After being the perpetual laughing stock of the league year after year, Riyan Parag's redemption in 2024 has been no less than a fairytale which seemed to crescendo on Thursday. After saving the team from deep trouble on a difficult deck, the youngster unleashed beast mode to end the innings.
Rajasthan Royals staged a remarkable recovery from 33/3 in the eighth over to put up a daunting total of 185/5 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium after being asked to bat first by Delhi Capitals on a lush green deck. The turnaround in fortunes was largely due to a stellar Riyan Parag that featured seven boundaries and six maximums. After repetitive failures in the past seasons, the Assamese repaid the team management's faith by registering a career-high T20 score of 84 from just 45 deliveries. The 22-year-old was going run-a-ball till he was on 26 before unleashing some monstrous hits, the brunt of which was borne by Anrich Nortje in the final over.
The onslaught began with some fortune for Parag after a thick edge saw Nortje's opening yorker sail between the keeper and short third man for four. The next shot was pure skill though as he climbed onto a bumper to send it racing to the ropes before dispatching a slot delivery into the crowd with disdain. Nortje responded by going back to the wide yorker, only to end up with a repeat of the first delivery, but Parag had saved the best for the very end. Nortje banged a 144 kph bouncer into the deck but not only did the batter remain uncluttered but pulled it across his body with ridiculous ease. The Kookaburra sailed high into the night sky and cleared midwicket by a mile, leaving Parag's batting partner Shimron Hetmyer in shock as he congratulated the youngster.
Twitterati was similarly in awe of the gigantic hits and took to social media to express their praises.
What a shot!!
An Appreciation Post For Young Talent Riyan Parag .🙇♂️
— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45) March 28, 2024
25 Runs Against Anrich Nortje 🥵🔥#RRvsDC || pic.twitter.com/0mFsgxelOR
Another step!
Hoping this #TATAIPL2024 is another step in the maturation of Riyan Parag the cricketer. Still only 22yrs old. He’s started well.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) March 28, 2024
Unbelievable
Parag boy what is this?
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) March 28, 2024
What are these consecutive boundaries?
What are they saying about you?
Nah man....what my eyes are witnessing 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Qv5ywWvbGi
At last!
Finally Riyan Parag has ARRIVED‼️
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) March 28, 2024
Riyan Parag met Dinda sir and pledged to always Recruit bowlers into Academy 🫡 pic.twitter.com/3K84GaxFtx
Delightfull!
The seeds of this sensational innings from Riyan Parag were sown in domestic cricket. Delighted for him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2024
Future predicted
Riyan Parag on social media after this knock pic.twitter.com/JfMmPu5HKw
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) March 28, 2024
The new ruler
Riyan Parag is gonna rule this IPL for sure 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vq39OaCiAj
— 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐬𝐌𝐒𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐧™ (@Itzshreyas07) March 28, 2024
Crazy!
Riyan Parag has arrived. In style. 💪 #RRvDC
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 28, 2024
Strong core
We have the future of the Indian Cricket team playing for our franchise Riyan Parag, Jurel and Jaiswal. A big salute to the scouting team of RR and management for backing these players, we are blessed 🫡🔥 pic.twitter.com/efuQnxza4P
— Pr𝕏tham (@Prxtham_18) March 28, 2024
Just wow!
An Appreciation Post For Young Talent Riyan Parag .🙇♂️
— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45) March 28, 2024
25 Runs Against Anrich Nortje 🥵🔥#RRvsDC || pic.twitter.com/0mFsgxelOR