Riyan Parag made his debut for India in July 2024, when he was selected for the T20I squad against Zimbabwe. His strong performances earned him a place in the ODI series against Sri Lanka in August, where he also made his debut in the fifty-over format. Known primarily for his batting, Parag surprised many with his impressive bowling skills.
In the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Parag registered exceptional bowling figures of 3/5. He also took three wickets on his ODI debut against the same side. His bowling performances added a valuable element to the Indian team, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma emphasizing the importance of part-time bowlers in the lineup.
Parag explained that his bowling wasn’t something new. He has been a regular bowler for Assam in domestic cricket, bowling around 350 overs each season. While these efforts often went unnoticed, his bowling skills were highlighted after his performances in the IPL and for India. Parag emphasized that he hadn’t done anything extra, but his performances have now gained more visibility.
Parag’s selection for the national team came after an outstanding performance in the 2024 Indian Premier League. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, he ended the tournament as the third-highest run-scorer, amassing 573 runs in 16 matches. With four half-centuries and a strike rate close to 150, his IPL form was crucial in his call-up to the Indian team.
Currently, Parag is playing in the Duleep Trophy for India A. He was selected in the playing XI for the tournament’s first round against India B, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, who also captained him during his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in July.
