Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: IPL 2022 could be breakthrough year for Riyan Parag – Sanju Samson | Sanju Samson talks about Riyan Parag and Lasith Malinga

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson is expecting big things from all-rounder Riyan Parag in IPL 2022. Speaking in a media conference on the Royals’ Facebook page ahead of their season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday, Samson heaped praise on the youngster, who has impressed in the practice matches.

Answering a question from CricBlog about whether this could be Riyan Parag’s breakthrough year, Samson said, “Absolutely. I think he joined us at the age of 17 from that time I think myself and every person in the leadership group was really excited about the way he plays.”

I think naturally people are talking a lot about him because he has that potential; something big can happen in the coming future. It’s all about trusting him and knowing that he has the game within himself and letting him go out and play,“ Samson added.

Riyan Parag might be facing 10, 15, 20 balls maximum but can win matches for the Royals – Samson

Samson also spoke of Riyan Parag’s role, which could be quite similar to the type of knock Odean Smith played to get over the line against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Royals captain sees Parag as someone who will come down the order and be tasked with playing those crucial knocks at the backend of the innings.

“I think he is someone who might come in the middle order for us. I think he is someone who might be facing 10 to 15 or maximum 20 balls so the opportunity of scoring big runs for him is very less,” Samson said.

The role which he has, those 20, 25, 30 runs are the matchwinning runs. So, the pressure is high on someone so young like him to accept that role happily to go out there and win matches for his team.”

“That itself shows his character, so I am very much excited for him this season.”

“Lasith Malinga makes bowling sound simple and easy” – Samson

Samson also spoke of the impact new bowling coach Lasith Malinga is having. Death bowling will be key to the Royals’ hopes of a first title since 2008, and Malinga’s clear messages help significantly.

“Whatever chats we have had in these meetings, he makes bowling sound so simple and so easy,” said the Royals’ captain. “That gives a lot of clarity to almost every bowler in the side.”

Samson then went on to explain just how simple the Sri Lankan legend keeps things.

“I heard something interesting from him; I had never heard this before. He said there is only two types of batsmen in the world; one is right-handed, one is left-handed. We just need to learn how to bowl to two batsmen.”

“He is making things a lot easier for me as a captain; understanding the bowlers, their mindset, their strengths and weaknesses.”

The Royals, who boast of a skilled bowling attack featuring the likes of Trent Boult, R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, will start their highly-anticipated IPL 2022 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 29.

You can watch Sanju Samson’s full media conference via Facebook here.