IPL bowler ‘got away’ with low tactic that has cricket talking

Indian teenager Riyan Parag “got away” with a low tactic in his team’s loss to Punjab Kings on Tuesday with a delivery that has the cricket world talking.

The all-rounder produced the headline moment of the match when he switched to a bizarre side-arm bowling action, helping him to remove West Indies superstar Chris Gayle.

Parag went on to hit 25 off 11 balls in the Rajasthan Royals chase in an innings where debutant captain Sanju Samson hit the first century of the 2021 Indian Premier League season — but it was his flirting underarm delivery that has caused the most chatter across the cricket world.

The right-arm weaker switched to his side-arm action in his only over and at times appeared to release his delivery with his arm coming from an angle less than perpendicular.

He had IPL TV commentators, including Aussie great Michael Slater, laughing at the absurdity of the situation, but it was a far more serious scenario for the umpires on the field.

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Riyan Parag bowling from mid-off.Source:Twitter

The umpires were seen having a word to Parag after his only over, and he finished with 1/7 as Punjab crushed their way to 222 from 20 overs.

His action had commentators pulling out magnifying glasses to see if Parag’s action was a legal one — or if he was starting his motion from an underarm position.

Slater said Parag “got away with it” while veteran Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle questioned how close Parag had come to bowling an outlawed underarm delivery.

Many compared his side-arm form to side-arm specialist Kedar Jadhav.

That is right-arm perpendicular. What name can you think of for this unique action? #RRvPBKS#VIVOIPLpic.twitter.com/lTYuL6Xl4r

Talk about a low tactic – The almost underarm – I like this from Riyan Parag. #bowlersfightback#IPL2021pic.twitter.com/KzNMyDXoVf

The match itself was a thriller, coming down to the final delivery with red-hot Samson needing five runs from the final two deliveries.

Samson refused a single with partner Chris Morris in the second last ball and then fell in an attempt to hit a six.

Riyan Parag from waist height.Source:Twitter

“I don’t have words to explain my feelings. Would have loved to finish it off for my team,” said Samson.

“I don’t think I could have done better than that. I thought I timed it well for a six but unfortunately couldn’t clear the man in the deep.”

The 14th edition of the Twenty20 tournament is being played behind closed doors amid a surge of coronavirus pandemic in India.

The Royals are next in action on Friday night against the Delhi Capitals.

— with AFP

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