Riyan Parag has taken a positive step towards returning to competitive cricket after beginning his training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). The Rajasthan Royals all-rounder underwent shoulder surgery in June 2026 after struggling with the injury during the IPL season. He has remained out of action since the conclusion of the tournament, with his recovery now becoming a key focus.

Parag’s shoulder problem affected his availability during IPL 2026, eventually forcing him to undergo surgery. His latest training update offers encouragement, although the 24-year-old still has work to do before he can regain full match fitness. The exact timeline for his return remains unclear, and he is expected to progress through rehabilitation before resuming competitive cricket.

His recovery comes at an important time for Indian cricket, with the team management looking to build a strong squad ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Injuries and a demanding international schedule have created opportunities for younger players in recent months. Parag will be eager to return to the selection conversation and strengthen his case through consistent performances.

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The Assam-born cricketer has built his reputation primarily through white-ball cricket, thanks to his aggressive batting and ability to contribute with the ball. Before his injury setback, he had been viewed as a potential option for India’s limited-overs setup. However, his shoulder problem disrupted that progress and left him facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Parag is unlikely to feature in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season, given that he has only recently resumed training. The Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled to begin on December 14, could offer a possible route back into competitive action, depending on how his rehabilitation progresses and whether he receives medical clearance.

GOOD NEWS FOR TEAM INDIA 🤞🇮🇳

– Riyan Parag has started the batting practice at BCCI CoE.

Waiting for his return during Sri Lanka series in December. https://t.co/FTvcxTF3tN

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 17, 2026

His position with Rajasthan Royals has also come under scrutiny following a challenging IPL 2026 campaign. Parag took over as the franchise’s full-time captain after Sanju Samson’s departure, but the team failed to reach the final despite promising performances from young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The season was difficult for Parag on an individual level as well. He scored 309 runs in 14 matches, including two half-centuries, while claiming two wickets across four appearances with the ball. An on-camera incident involving smoking during a match also attracted considerable criticism and added to the attention surrounding his campaign.

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Despite the setbacks, Parag still has time to rebuild his form and fitness. He has represented India in one ODI, against Sri Lanka in 2024, and has played nine T20Is. A successful recovery followed by strong domestic performances could help him return to contention for national selection.

For now, the priority will be completing his rehabilitation without setbacks. If Parag regains full fitness and rediscovers his best form, he could still play an important role in India’s future white-ball plans.