Takeaway from IPL: When Steve Smith's tips for Ranji season helped young Riyan Parag

Steve Smith's art of leaving deliveries is not for ones who are searching for aesthetics but the former Australian captain allowed a young Riyan Parag to take a sneak peek into his unorthodox technique during the last IPL which helped the teenager while playing Ranji Trophy.

The 18-year-old batting all-rounder from Assam, a key member of the Prithvi Shaw's U-19 World Cup winning team, did make a mark for Rajasthan Royals in last IPL but there was a bigger takeaway -- Smith's batting tips for red ball cricket.

"Of course, I have had lot of chats with both Steve and Jos Buttler. They helped me a lot during IPL. When you are batting with someone of Smith's calibre and 30,000 people are watching you, it gets a bit tough. He would advise me to be calm and not think about the pressure," Riyan told PTI during an interaction.

But what was more important was Smith's pointers to Riyan on the technique of playing red ball that helped him in the Ranji season where he ended with 492 runs for Assam, including a hundred and three half-centuries. He also snared 12 wickets with his handy off-breaks.

"I love the way Steve leaves the ball. You don't just go by the looks of it but you've got to think why does he leave the ball like that. What is the reason?
So what exactly did Smith tell him about leaving the balls?
"Steve told me that more I cover the ball with the body and leave it, the bowler will be forced to bowl a few on the pads which is the strength of any batsman. Then he can score runs."
So will he pursue graduation after he finishes 12th standard?