'What's going on. Everyone was shocked': Riyan Parag reveals most difficult team to face in IPL 2024

The recently concluded IPL 2024 saw Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerge as Champions for the third time in their history after they capped off a splendid campaign with a dominating victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the finals. 

IPL 2024, saw some great performances from teams and players and one such player that impressed was Riyan Parag for Rajasthan Royals. Riyan Parag and Rajasthan Royals reached the playoffs but their campaign ended in disappointment after they lost in Qualifier 2 against SRH. 

In a season that saw a lot of records being broken, Riyan Parag reflected upon the IPL and revealed the most difficult team he faced in this campaign. 

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Riyan Parag picks the most difficult team to face in IPL 2024 

Reflecting on IPL 2024 at the Beer Biceps show,  Riyan Parag chose Pat Cummins led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as the most difficult opposition in the season. Parag revealed that the ultra aggressive approach SRH played shocked everyone. 

“Difficult was I think SRH…We were actually laughing about it (the high scoring matches in IPL 2024). Laughing as in we were just shocked. What is going on. We finished off one day game against I think Lucknow. We came back and we saw Hyderabad 135 in first six overs. We all looked at each other and were like what is going on. What the hell is going on. We just struggled to make 170 here in 20 overs, these guys were on a 135 in six overs. So everyone was just shocked," said Riyan Parag. 

Riyan Parag further revealed that the team didn't cower away but were up for the challenge posed by SRH this season. 

"But then everyone was up for that challenge. Whenever we played SRH, I don't think they got more than 200. I think they got 200 in the first game and 170 in the second game. But we didn't manage to get those runs so that sucks.  But then yeah it was a nice challenge”, said Riyan Parag. 

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Riyan Parag thinks SRH won't be able to replicate this performance in IPL 2025 

Riyan Parag was quick to say that it wasn't Pat Cummins effect but it was what Travis Head and Abhishekh Sharma did at the top of the over. 

"I don't think he's done much. It's a lot to do with Impact rule as well. Because openers have a free hand to just go and full swing and like I said in your first question like everything fitting together, the openers got everything to fit together. It's very rare in cricket that runs come from both ends. This year it was coming from both the ends. (Travis) Head was going berserk and then Abhishek (Sharma) was doing his thing. 

However, Riyan Parag remained confident that it was just a one season flurry from SRH and they won't be able to replicate this next season. 

“I don't think it's going to happen next year. It's a bold prediction but then I feel atleast we figured it out. Everyone was just shocked, by the time they realised what was happening they were already 200 up in the 14th and 15th over”, said Riyan Parag. 

For all of SRH's ultra aggressive performance and showing they faltered spectacularly as they were bowled out for the lowest total in IPL final history at 113 and lost convincingly.