Riyan Parag reveals Gautam Gambhir factor behind 3 wickets in first T20I

Indian all-rounder Riyan Parag emerged as an unlikely destroyer-in-chief with the ball when the national team took on Sri Lanka in the first T20I on Saturday. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis gave the Lankans a good start, scoring 84 runs for the first wicket before their chase began to crumble. Riyan Parag, in just 1.2 overs, took the important wickets of Kmindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka as India bowled out the hosts for just 170 runs, winning the match by 43 runs. After the game, Parag revealed how coach Gautam Gambhir prepared him for different situations in the match.

In a video shared by BCCI, Parag appeared with captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Axar Patel. It was in the video that Parag revealed the conversation he had with Gambhir about his bowling, especially in certain areas of the game.

“I love bowling. I bowl as much as I can behind the scenes. In the nets, there was a lot of communication about where to bowl and how to bowl. There were preparations for such situations with Gautam sir. If I start bowling the 16th and the ​​day 17 is over and the wicket is spinning, so where do I have to bowl? The boys made it easy for me, I just had to bowl from stump to stump, and the ball was spinning too,” Parag said in the video.

Introducing some #TeamIndiaThe stars of the first T20I #SLvIND | @surya_14kumar | @akshar2026 | @ParagRiyan pic.twitter.com/LRG1ZiIiQa

-BCCI (@BCCI) July 28, 2024

Suryakumar also praised Riyan’s efforts with the ball, saying the Rajasthan Royals star has an X-factor.

“This could be a Riyan Parag special, just because I saw him bowling earlier during the IPL, in the nets. Also during the press conference, I said that Riyan Parag has an ‘X’ factor,” Suryakumar said in the video.

“If the batsmen keep hitting like that and the bowlers keep helping out like that on the ground, then my job will get easier. What was the situation, I set the pace of the game with my batting. , they have so much skill that if our skill doesn’t work, others will take care of everything.”

Suryakumar also praised the batting unit, keeping his fingers crossed that such performances continue.

“I’m not a captain, I want to be a leader. It’s good to see so much support in this country too. Sri Lanka is just two and a half hours away, it feels like we’re just playing in India. I hope we continue to get that support and the rest we we will take care,” he added.