IPL 2022: Riyan Parag shines as Rajasthan Royals beat RCB by 29 runs

An outstanding result was achieved by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) team against rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 39th match of IPL 2022 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune Tuesday. RR managed to win over RCB by 29 runs and this was the Royals' sixth win in the eight games they have played in the IPL this season.

Behind the promising victory, there was a big contribution from all-rounder RR Riyan Parag. The 20-year-old cricketer recorded 56 and certainly had the full backing of a bowler who did his job well. This allowed Rajasthan to bring home the victory.

After winning the toss, Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis opted to take to the field. In this match, RR lost three wickets in the fifth over of the powerplay, with a score of 33.

However, efforts from RR captain Sanju Samson and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell managed to add 35 for the fourth wicket before finally falling to leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in the tenth. The Royals finished with a total under par 144/8. Meanwhile, Parag managed to score half a century in the IPL.

RR vs RCB

In this match, Virat Kohli struggled to open the Bangalore inning. He almost got caught on his third delivery and managed only 128 runs in nine games. Bangalore lost Kohli to pacer Prasidh Krishna, by ten runs.

Throughout the Bangalore chase, their partnership was not very impressive as RCB kept losing consecutive wickets. Finally, Bangalore could only record 115 at the end of the half. Meanwhile, du Plessis became the top scorer for the Challengers.

“The top order is a trick we need to fix. You need someone in the top four to bat through and we haven't done that consistently. We tried changing the batting lineup today and we feel that they can try playing positively. Can't go into a shell." Du Plessis said after RCB's second straight loss in the IPL 2022.

Ravichandran Ashwin went 3-17 after Sen knocked out du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell in consecutive hits to leave Bangalore in trouble at 37-3. The off spin from Ashwin rocked the middle and runs from Dinesh Karthik, engaging with Shahbaz Ahmed for score chase.

Earlier, RCB star Josh Hazlewood managed to get rid of the in-form Jos Buttler to propel the Royals after partner Mohammed Siraj scored two wickets in his first two overs. Buttler has reached three centuries in the IPL this season and is a hitter with 499 runs. Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson tried to reply with 21-27 balls. But unfortunately, it was thwarted by Wanindu Hasaranga.

On the RR side, Parag made 30 of the last two overs to take the Royals to a competitive total before speed bowler Kuldeep Sen took 4-20 to complete a 29-run win.

“A little bit of satisfaction. The Royals have backed me for the last three years and I am paying off bit by bit. I love pressure and try to showcase my abilities and do my best,” said Parag after winning the man-of-the-match.