• Source:JND
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India and Rajasthan Royals (RR) young all-rounder Riyan Parag has opened up that he only looks up to star batter Virat Kohli because he finds the former India captain relatable and understandable.

Parag recently put on a show as he smashed 102 runs in just 68 balls against West Zone in the Deodhar Trophy. He added 150 runs with Kumar Kushagra to help his team recover from 157/5 to 319/7 as they won the match by 157 runs.

 

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Riyan Parag revealed that he has had the opportunity to interact with Virat Kohli often and that the former India captain always helps him with technical inputs.

"It (inspiration) has always been Virat Kohli. I don't look up to any other batsman, although there are great batsmen in our generation. But I just relate a lot to Virat Kohli. I speak with him often and he's just got a lot of input that I actually like and I can relate to that person. I like it when he says something, I really understand it and he makes me understand it as well," Riyan Parag told BCCI on the sidelines of his Deodhar Trophy 2023 campaign.

The young star player has been in sublime touch in the ongoing Deodhar Trophy in Puducherry as his effective contributions from both bat and the ball takes his team to the finals against the South Zone.

The 21-year-old has scored 259 runs in just four games so far at an impressive average of 86.33 and a strike rate of 133.50. His immense brilliance included two centuries he has smashed so far in the tournament.

Parag, while adding on his recent success with the bat, said that his improved shot selection has brought consistency to his game.

"There are a lot of people and a lot of things that try and bring down that confidence. But I think believing in yourself, working extra hard outside the field. On the field, I think that that's why the results are coming.

 

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"I think I've gotten a lot of not mature for sure. I think two years back I would have hit some silly shot of the spinners because that's my natural game - I like hitting six of the spinners. I would have tried to force something and get out. But then now I think I'm a lot more mature," he added.