Always look up to Dhoni for mastering the finisher’s role: Parag

Riyan Parag’s role has been well defined at the Rajasthan Royals (RR), with the right-handed batter being deployed as a finisher. It isn’t a role that is easy, with a rare few Indian cricketers donning that role with such ease. One of them is MS Dhoni, who still continues to win clashes for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a finisher with the bat. 

And it is Dhoni, who is Parag’s biggest influence, with the all-rounder stating that no one has mastered the art of finishing as well as the CSK skipper. 

"I have been doing the finishing role for the last three years now. There is just one name that comes to my mind which I also have said before, MS Dhoni. I do not think anyone else has mastered that art. Going into that role, I always look up to him, how he finishes games or how he takes the game deep," Parag told news agency PTI.

During the domestic season, Parag has made the headline multiple times due to his batting prowess for Assam. At his preferred batting position of No.4, the right-hander has averaged 39, with an incredible strike-rate of 140. If given a chance, the Assam all-rounder is hopeful of playing at No.4 during the upcoming IPL season. 

"If they (Royals) were to ask me where I want to bat, I would say No. 4. But, then, like always, I am open to bat wherever the team needs me and wherever they think I fit the best. It is a team game; whichever way the combinations match up, I am happy to contribute," Parag said. 

RR will kick-off their IPL 2023 campaign against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday (April 2), at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.