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The recent T20I series between India and Sri Lanka saw a surprising strategic move from Indian coach Gautam Gambhir: utilizing Riyan Parag as a part-time bowler. This unorthodox decision proved to be a masterstroke, as Parag's spin bowling played a crucial role in India's series victory. Gambhir's faith in Parag's abilities, despite the presence of established all-rounders like Washington Sundar, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel, highlighted a shrewd understanding of the young player's potential.
Parag's bowling performance against Sri Lanka was nothing short of impressive. In the first T20I, he delivered three crucial wickets in the death overs, showcasing his ability to spin the ball away from batsmen and execute his sliders and cutters with precision. This impact helped India secure a comfortable win. In the second T20I, Parag was entrusted with a full four-over quota by captain Suryakumar Yadav. He bowled with control and variety, conceding just 30 runs, proving himself to be a reliable and economical bowler. His defensive bowling also contributed to creating opportunities for other Indian spinners, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi, to take wickets.
Parag's success with the ball comes as no surprise to those familiar with Indian domestic cricket. He has consistently been a valuable bowling asset for Assam across formats, taking the most T20 wickets for the state in the last five years. While his bowling prowess is well-established, he is also a capable middle-order batsman, adding to his versatility. Though his bowling opportunities in the IPL were limited after the introduction of the Impact Player rule, his performances in this series demonstrate his potential as a complete all-rounder. Gambhir's mentorship, particularly his preference for multi-skilled players, seems to have had a positive influence on Parag's development. This series victory provides further evidence that Parag could be a vital asset for India's future T20 endeavors, as they seek to solidify their lineup and build a formidable team for upcoming tournaments.
Source: Gambhir’s ploy to utilise Parag as part-time bowler pays off