Rajasthan Royals' Dasun Shanaka Backs Riyan Parag as Future Star Leader

Shanaka Praises Parag Ahead of IPL Eliminator

Mullanpur (Punjab) [India] - As the Rajasthan Royals gear up for their Indian Premier League (IPL) eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has expressed his admiration for captain Riyan Parag, calling him a "promising leader in the making" for both the franchise and the national team.

The Royals are on a quest for their second IPL title, facing SRH in the eliminator. The victor will advance to Qualifier Two, where they will compete against Gujarat Titans (GT) for a chance to reach the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Rajasthan's journey this season has been tumultuous; after a strong start with four consecutive victories, they stumbled, losing four out of the next six matches. Their playoff berth was secured on the final day, thanks to a crucial win against the Mumbai Indians (MI), where they split their last four games evenly.

The team's inconsistent batting performance has raised questions about Riyan's leadership. The captain himself has struggled with the bat, accumulating only 272 runs in 12 innings, averaging 24.72 with a strike rate exceeding 152.

In a pre-match press conference, Shanaka remarked, "Riyan is a young captain who is still learning. He has performed admirably this season. While he faces criticism, I believe he is evolving into a great leader for both RR and Team India."

Shanaka also acknowledged the influence of head coach Kumar Sangakkara, a fellow Sri Lankan, noting his ability to foster a calm atmosphere within the team. "Sanga has been with us for five to six years and knows how to support each player. His experience is invaluable, being a World Cup champion and a long-time captain of the national team. He is doing an excellent job for us," he stated.

The all-rounder also commended 15-year-old talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has scored 583 runs this season at an average of 41.64 and a remarkable strike rate of 232.27, including a century and three fifties. However, Sooryavanshi had a disappointing outing against MI, managing only four runs in a critical match.

Shanaka praised Sooryavanshi's professionalism and demeanor in the dressing room, expressing confidence in the team's depth of match-winners. "Although Vaibhav didn't start well against MI, we have many players capable of stepping up. His professionalism and calmness are impressive. I haven't seen many young players handle pressure like he does. I see great potential in him," Shanaka concluded.