IPL 2024: His promotion to number four has really suited him – Shane Bond on Riyan Parag’s impressive form

Rajasthan Royals assistant coach Shane Bond believes Riyan Parag’s batting promotion has really suited him in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Before the start of the tournament. Parag was told that he would bat at number four and he has grabbed his chance with both hands.

The right-hander made his IPL debut in 2019 but he could not perform consistently while batting in the lower middle order. Parag scored another impressive knock of 48 runs off 34 balls against Punjab Kings while batting at his home ground of Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati to help his team post 144 runs on the board.

The youngster has amassed 483 runs in 11 innings of the ongoing IPL 2024 at an average of 60.38 and a strike rate of 153.82. Furthermore, Parag also scored 510 runs in 10 matches at an average of 85 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and played a key role in taking Assam to the semifinals.

“Riyan has had an amazing season isn’t he. His promotion to number four has really suited him. He’s had a number of years batting in a position that was pretty tough down the order and people forget how young he is. It just takes some time when you’re young. Obviously saw, how well he played in domestic cricket and this season particularly in T20s,” said Bond in the post-match press conference.

“He’s rolled on this season for us and just lets a quality, he’s a quality player there’s no dount about him. I’m really excited for him and proud of him the way he has played so far. I think the team is super excited for him. He’s borne the brunt of some criticism over the last few years in terms of performances and so to put that to the side and come out the way he’s played this season at the number four spot, real credit to him for the work he’s put in,” he added.

Contrary to many experts, the former New Zealand gun fast bowler said he likes the impact player rule. Bond feels it is important to adapt and adjust as a player.

“I like the rule, I like seeing sixes, I like seeing runs and I like seeing bowlers put under pressure. The beauty of the game of cricket is that you have to adjust and you have to adapt. Even from last year the batters have done that, the scores have gone up. I love watching it and it still amazes me the quality of hitting in cricket. Bowlers haven’t caught up, they have to plan better, they have to think better and make better decisions,” the RR assistant coach added.

Bond reckons the bowling quality in the ongoing season has been below par as we have seen scores of more than 200 become a norm.

“That’s my job, I find that exciting, and when you look at the Bumrahs of the world, he’s still doing it. Regardless, that’s what world-class players do. The challenge for all the bowlers in the competition is just to get better. I think the general quality of the bowling has been little bit below par in the tournament. But you would be hoping that backend in the finals and even through the next year it would improve,” he concluded.

Rajasthan Royals will play their last league stage match of the tournament against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday.