Riyan Parag produced momentum-shifting innings for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a must-win game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Friday, May 19.
The right-handed batter scored 20 off 12 balls at a strike rate of 166.67, including a couple of sixes and a four.
With 33 required off the last 18 balls, Parag smashed a couple of sixes off consecutive balls after a no-ball error from Kagiso Rabada.
Parag, however, couldn’t finish the game as he was caught by Atharva Taide at point region off the last ball off the 18th over. RR eventually won the game by four wickets to keep their hopes alive of reaching the IPL 2023 playoffs.
Fans came up with a hilarious reaction to Riyan Parag’s innings against PBKS. One user shared a meme that read:
“Deva, ek saal ka bandobast ho gaya (Thank God! One more year extended [at RR]).”
Here are some of the other entertaining Twitter reactions:
Riyan Parag, however, has so far scored 78 runs in seven games at a strike rate of 118.18 in IPL 2023.
RR beats PBKS to keep IPL 2023 Playoffs hopes alive
A clinical batting performance from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal helped RR chase down 188 against PBKS on Friday. Padikkal scored 51 off 30 balls, while Jaiswal hit 50 off 36 deliveries. The duo smashed three sixes and 13 fours during their power-packed show.
Shimron Hetmyer then stepped up with 46 off 28, including three sixes and four boundaries. Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel chipped in with 20 (12) and 10* (4) respectively as RR won the game by four wickets with two balls to spare.
Kagiso Rabada emerged as the pick of the bowlers for PBKS with figures of 2/40. Other bowlers settled for one apiece.
Earlier, PBKS posted 187/5 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of the 40s from Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma, and Shahrukh Khan.
For RR Navdeep Saini starred with the ball, returning with figures of 3/40. Trent Boult and Adam Zampa also took one apiece.
RR are currently placed fifth with 14 points in as many games. They are now reliant on RCB and MI’s losses and net run rate (NRR) to stay alive in the race to the IPL 2023 playoffs.