OUR SPORTS REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Riyan Parag, the local boy, is all set to make his first appearance as a captain of an IPL team in Guwahati, when he leads Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara on Wednesday evening. The 23-year-old expressed his excitement about the opportunity and thanked Rajasthan Royals for placing their trust in him.
Sanju Samson is the regular captain of Rajasthan Royals but as he is not able to kept wicket due to injury franchise handed over the captaincy to Parag for the first three games of the season.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the Assam-born cricketer shared his thoughts on leading the team: "When it comes to captaincy, my only experience has been leading Assam. It’s a great feeling to know that Rajasthan Royals have faith in me and have given me this responsibility. I am really grateful to them."
Parag also acknowledged the constant support and guidance from both Sanju Samson and head coach Rahul Dravid, which has made his transition into the leadership role much easier. "I am receiving continuous support from Sanju and Rahul sir, which has been a big help for me. Their guidance has been invaluable," he added.
Like Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals also suffered a defeat in their opening match of the season. However, Parag remains confident in the strength of his team and believes that with proper execution, they can turn things around. "We have a solid team, and what we need now is to execute our plans properly on the field," he said.
In their opening game, Rajasthan Royals were tasked with chasing a daunting 287 runs. Despite falling short, the middle order, led by Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer, showed resilience and gave a good account of themselves after Sanju Samson played a brilliant knock. Parag highlighted the importance of the middle order, saying, "In general, we expect to chase around 160-180 runs, and it's reassuring to see our middle order bat so well. It gives us great confidence going forward. I hope they continue their good form in the upcoming matches."
With the support of a talented squad and a clear focus on executing their plans, Parag is optimistic about his team's prospects in the coming games as Rajasthan Royals aim to bounce back from their opening loss.
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