(Credit IPL)
Riyan Parag, a promising talent from Rajasthan and a former India U-19 player, has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. He joins a select group of uncapped players selected for the Indian team.
Parag had a standout IPL season in 2023, where he amassed 573 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 52.09, including four scores of fifty or more. Finishing as the tournament’s third-highest run-scorer, he capitalized on his opportunities after debuting in 2019 and showcased his potential during the 2023 season. Notably, he remains the youngest half-centurion in IPL history.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN Cricinfo, Parag discussed various aspects of his game and his rapport with coach Kumar Sangakkara and captain Sanju Samson. Interestingly, while Samson was part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, he didn’t feature in any matches.
Reflecting on his growth, Parag acknowledged adjusting his approach on the field and maximizing opportunities during IPL 2024. He highlighted the support and mentorship he has received from skipper Sanju Samson, emphasizing their close relationship and ongoing communication over the years.
“We are really close. This year we got even closer because he asked me to be part of the leadership circle during the games. I looked out for him, I had to speak to bowlers, talk about fields and communicate with him. So I got a lot of [time in] charge this season, which made me feel really nice because the captain had faith in me to talk to the bowlers, change fields if required, bowl certain bowlers in high-pressure situations” said Parag on Samson.
One Of The Best Batters Currently: Riyan Parag On Sanju Samson
He praised Samson’s prowess as one of the top batsmen in contemporary cricket. While leading Rajasthan Royals (RR), Samson has consistently amassed runs in the IPL. However, he has struggled to replicate this consistency in international cricket. In IPL 2024, Samson achieved a milestone by scoring 531 runs, marking his first season crossing the 500-run mark in the tournament’s history.
“Sanju bhaiyya is one of the best batters currently. I also believe his wicketkeeping goes unnoticed. On the field you can learn a lot from him – the way he handles himself even when he’s angry, the way he handles himself after we’ve lost the game, all that is really commendable. That’s how we get confidence from the captain, because you don’t want a captain who’s just shouting and showing his emotions. He keeps his emotions to himself, speaks to everyone normally after we’ve won or lost a game. I think those are the things that make him a really great captain” Parag further added.
Meanwhile, the Indian squad for the first two games against Zimbabwe has undergone changes. Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana are set to join the team for these matches, stepping in for Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Jaiswal, Dube, and Samson were integral members of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad. They will initially return to India with the team before proceeding to Zimbabwe for the final three games of the series. The team’s departure from Barbados was delayed due to a hurricane.
