Aakash Chopra hails Riyan Parag’s fighting knock against KKR in IPL 2025

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Riyan Parag after he showed resistance with the bat against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata in the ongoing IPL 2025 on Sunday.

Chasing 207 runs for the win, RR found themselves reeling 71-5 inside the first 10 overs. However, Parag and Shimron Hetmyer added 92 runs for the sixth wicket to keep their team alive in the contest.

Parag scored a majestic knock of 95 runs off just 45 balls, including six sixes in a row. But, Parag’s knock went in vain as RR suffered a one-run loss in the end.

A couple of seasons ago, Parag had tweeted that his inner conscience was saying he would be hitting four sixes in a row but he was trolled on the social media.

“Riyan Parag had a mountain to climb. Half the team had been dismissed before the 10-over mark. Wanindu Hasaranga was sent up the order. He went and came back. He didn’t disturb the scoreboard at all, and they were down and out. Shimron Hetmyer was going at a run-a-ball, and then Riyan Parag decides,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Riyan Parag had tweeted two years ago that his inner conscience was saying that he would hit four sixes in an over that season. One doesn’t tweet such things, but he did it. He was trolled a lot. He was a small kid, and he did it. He must have been manifesting. He might be writing it in a book nowadays,” he added.

The right-hander from Assam took Moeen Ali to the cleaners, smashing him for five consecutive sixes.

“Then, when that day came, he hit six sixes. He hit five sixes in an over. He kept Moeen Ali only in the stands. Then he hit the first ball he played in the next over for a six, which means six sixes in a row. That was absolutely wow,” Chopra observed.

The renowned commentator said one feels sad for RR this season, as they have lost many close matches.

“Rajasthan lost a match that was totally in Kolkata’s control by just one run. Shubam Dubey hit a four and two sixes, but eventually that run-out happens. You tend to feel for RR as they have lost narrowly so many times. They just keep losing,” he said.

Rajasthan Royals will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 12th May.