Harbhajan Singh Has A Special Advice For Riyan Parag In IPL 2024

In a riveting showdown at the iconic Eden Gardens on the electrifying evening of April 16, Rajasthan Royals (RR) scripted a breathtaking two-wicket triumph over the formidable Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), propelled by a scintillating unbeaten century from the dynamic Jos Buttler. The English opener's stellar performance sent waves of jubilation through the cricketing world, garnering accolades from fans and pundits alike. Amidst the thunderous applause for Buttler's heroics, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh voiced his reservations regarding the approach of the young Riyan Parag, sparking discussions within the cricketing fraternity.

KKR set a daunting target of 223/6, propelled by a magnificent 109-run blitz from the explosive Sunil Narine. Despite the mounting pressure, RR found themselves at a precarious 121/6 after 13 overs, seemingly teetering on the brink of defeat. However, Buttler emerged as the beacon of hope for his team, exhibiting nerves of steel as he single-handedly shouldered the responsibility of steering his side towards victory. With a breathtaking unbeaten knock of 107 runs off just 60 deliveries, Buttler orchestrated a stunning comeback, etching his name in the annals of cricketing history.

Harbhajan Singh, amidst showering praise on Buttler's composure and match-winning prowess, underscored the significance of strategic gameplay, particularly in the face of daunting challenges. His critique of Riyan Parag's approach added depth to the post-match analysis, prompting introspection and debate among enthusiasts and experts alike.

"He (Buttler) is a special player. He is a different-level player. He is calm and composed. Whenever he got the chance, he hit sixes, and fours and grabbed singles and doubles. When the other players are getting out, holding your batting and playing your own game is important," said former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh during a recent interview. 

"A lot of youngsters need to learn from Buttler's innings. Riyan is a talented player. He scored 34 runs but this is how matches are won. You need to be there, you need to hold the fort," he added.

Highlighting the essence of perseverance, the 43-year-old emphasized the significance of seeing the game through till the end to lead the team to triumph, a lesson young Riyan Parag seemed to overlook. Despite his quickfire 34 off 14 balls, Parag's reckless dismissal to Harshit Rana underscored the importance of composure under pressure. The veteran player reiterated the necessity of devising a coherent game plan and the capability to execute it effectively when the stakes are high. This insight reflects the invaluable experience garnered over years of competitive cricket, serving as a guiding principle for both individual players and the team as a whole.

"You have that clear mindset to play which shot to play against which bowler. This is not the first time Jos Buttler has done it. He has done this several times and I am sure we will see him do this a lot more time in the future as well. He is one of the legends of the game," Harbhajan concluded.