Riyan Parag loves playing under pressure, reveals India player that inspires him the most

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Riyan Parag has said he loves playing under pressure and has alway looked up to star India batter for inspiration as the Assam cricketer continues his redemption after a tough few years.

Parag, who has often been criticized for his contirbution in Indian Premier League (IPL) for Rajasthan Royals, has seen a turn around, first by breaking into the India emerging side that finished runners up in Emerging Asia Cup 2023 and then with his performance in the ongoing Deodhar Trophy.

The 21-year-old is part of the East Zone team that reached the final of Deodhar Trophy 2023. He has so far scored 259 runs, including two centuries, the fourth highest so far at an average of 86.33.

Batting in the middle order or lower-middle order, Parag has played some crucial knocks under pressure and the Assam all-rounder says playing under pressure is what he loves.

"Just assessing the conditions and really enjoying the situation more than anything. Not keeping expectations for myself or not putting any extra pressure or burden on me. So, I'm just trying to enjoy whatever cricket I've been playin," Parag told in video posted on BCCI official website.

"I love playing under pressure, I love when wickets are down. Not the most ideal for the team, but I love it when I go in certain circumstances where we were chasing something very big or we have to set a total that is very big and we have lost big wickets.

"I think it's a lot of mental work that goes on behind the game. Even today I had this feeling last night I told my coach about it that...he actually told me that 'match jitana, match jitana (need to win the match),' and I was like 'don't get tensed, I'm feeling good and will win the match for you'."

Parag's game or contribution has often been criticized during the IPL, and the all-rounder revealed how he has been able to respond and bounce back from the factors that bring down his confidence.

"And that's why I just told him as well. I think it's just got a lot to do with confidence. There are lot of people and things that try and bring down that confidence, but I think believing in yourself and working extra hard on and off the field is why the results are coming," Parag added.

"I think I have gotten a lot mature for sure. I think two years back, I would have hit some silly shots off the spinners because that's my forte as I like hitting sixes off them. Would have forced something and got out.

"But now I think I'm a lot mature, I assess conditions really well and Tuesday (August 1 when he scored second hundred) was a prime example of that. I took my time, ran a lot of doubles, singles and then gave myself a good opportunity to go like hell in the last 10 overs. And that worked out."

Parag also revealed that he only looks up to former India captain Kohli for inspiration. "It's always been Virat Kohli. I don't look up to any other batter although there are great batsmen in our generation.

"But I just relate a lot to Kohli. I've spoken to him, I speak with him often and he's just got a lot of input that I especially like. 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," Parag further added.

The 21-year-old all-rounder, who bowls right-arm off-breaks and leg-breaks, revealed that he bowls pretty much everything and has also started working on left-arm spin.

"I pretty much bowl everything. I am even working on left-arm spin as well. There's no ball that I don't bowl," Parad added on his ability with the ball having taken 9 wickets in the ongoing Deodhar Trophy at an average of 15.77.

Parag has not been regularly used as a bowler in IPL as he has bowled just 26 overs in four season for Rajasthan Royals, but the all-rounder says he has bowled much more in the domestic circuit.

"Even in the domestic season, combining all the formats, I bowled like 350 overs. Sure, I didn't bowl in the IPL but in domestic season I bowled 350 overs and got 40 wickets in total and that's showing here.," Parag said.

The young all-rounder also revealed that if at all he has any anger he takes it out while playing golf or video games, which are the Assamese cricketer's two hobbies.

"I think playing golf and gaming online has helped me so much to take my mind off the game. Even if I am angry I can take it out in golf, not on cricket," Parag said.

"I can go and game for five hours and my anger is gone and I can start enjoying what I am doing. It has got a lot to do with taking my mind completely off the game before I can focus again and learn from my mistakes."