(Source IG)

Dinesh Karthik, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter and cricket analyst, has lavished praise on the emerging talent Riyan Parag, subtly addressing the skepticism from critics. Parag recently played a key role in securing T20I series victories in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka for the Indian team.

Recognized as a potential game-changer for India, Parag is celebrated for his dynamic batting and effective leg-spin bowling. His remarkable performance during the IPL 2024 season with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) has significantly raised his profile and made him a major topic of discussion in cricket circles.

Dinesh Karthik hails Riyan Parag and claims critics are underestimating the young star.

Riyan Parag’s IPL 2024 season was a showcase of his explosive batting prowess, drawing considerable attention with his aggressive style. Despite this, he has yet to make a significant impact in international cricket, having scored just 57 runs across 6 T20I appearances.

Nonetheless, Parag’s leg-spin bowling has garnered praise, especially during the recent three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka. His skill in spinning the ball away from both right- and left-handed batsmen was evident, with standout performances including a single over for just five runs against Zimbabwe and a crucial three-wicket haul in eight balls that secured the second T20I victory against Sri Lanka in Kandy.

With his versatile abilities adding balance to the team, Parag is seen as a potentially valuable asset for the Indian cricket team. Dinesh Karthik has highlighted Parag’s exceptional skills and strong work ethic, suggesting that his true value may not be fully appreciated by many.

I don’t want to put undue pressure on Riyan Parag: Dinesh Karthik

Karthik mentioned that he prefers not to add undue pressure on Parag by branding him as the next big thing. However, he did emphasize that the 22-year-old appears to be a promising talent for Team India. Commending Parag’s attitude and mindset, the former Indian wicketkeeper highlighted that both Parag and Tilak Varma have the potential to become exceptional players for Indian cricket in the near future.

Dinesh Karthik was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “Look, I don’t want to put undue pressure on him. I’ve really enjoyed watching him go about doing things the way he does it in Indian cricket, in IPL. I think he’s a very wrongly perceived cricketer. I know, as I said, he looks a special cricketer.”

Karthik signed off by saying, “A lot of good things to come from him. He’s got a great attitude, a great mindset, a very good work ethic, and he’s dominant. And he’s contributing with the ball. Riyan Parag and Tilak Varma, I feel, can be very special players for Indian cricket.”