Riyan Parag made a significant mark on the cricketing world with his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. As a right-handed batter occupying the crucial number four spot for Rajasthan Royals, Parag consistently delivered under pressure, rescuing his team from difficult situations multiple times.
Parag scored an impressive 573 runs, maintaining an average of 52.09 and a striking rate of 149.21. Following this successful season, Parag has now set his sights on breaking into the Indian national team. He has been with the Rajasthan Royals since 2019, but until now, he had not produced the kind of performances that would grab national attention.
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However, 2024 proved to be a breakout year for the 22-year-old, leading many to suggest his name for the national team. Parag credits his determination and his father’s guidance for his ambition to play for India. His father, Parag Das, a former cricketer for Assam, played a pivotal role in shaping his cricketing journey.
Riyan Parag said – “I’m going to play for India, I don’t really care when. At some point, you’ll have to take me, right? So that is my belief, I’m going to play for India”. (PTI). pic.twitter.com/3QDot09f8D
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) May 30, 2024
“At some point, you’ll have to take me, right? So that is my belief, I’m going to play for India. I don’t really care when. [Even] when I was not scoring runs – I said this in an [earlier] interview as well that I am going to play for India. That is me believing in myself. That is not me being arrogant. That is what my plan was with my dad [former Railways and Assam player Parag Das], when I started playing cricket when I was like 10 years old. We were going to play for India regardless of anything,” Riyan Parag told ESPNcricinfo.
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India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 was announced midway through the IPL season, and although Parag did not secure a spot, even as a travel reserve, his focus remains undeterred. He is eyeing the series that will follow the World Cup, particularly India’s tour to Zimbabwe, hoping to make his international debut there.
“Whether it’s the next tour, whether it’s a tour in six months, whether it’s a tour in one year… I don’t really put my thought behind when I should play. That is the selector’s job, that is other people’s job,” Riyan Parag added, expressing his unwavering confidence and readiness to seize his opportunity whenever it comes.
