(Credit BCCI)
The emerging talent Riyan Parag from Rajasthan Royals believes that his strong performances in IPL 2024 could pave the way for his swift inclusion in the Indian National team.
Since his acquisition by Rajasthan Royals in 2019, Parag has been nurtured as a promising asset by the team management, receiving consistent opportunities despite occasional dips in form. While some attributed his previous struggles to overconfidence, Parag has notably transformed his game in IPL 2024.
His exceptional performances in the tournament, where he ranked as the third highest run-scorer alongside elite batters like Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, have marked a significant shift. Parag’s crucial contributions were instrumental in Rajasthan’s journey to the playoffs, raising expectations for his continued excellence in the upcoming domestic season.
Parag asserts that he will be prepared to answer the selectors’ call whenever it comes.
Riyan Parag emphasized that the timing of his selection is beyond his control. Whether he’s chosen for the upcoming Zimbabwean tour or a subsequent one lies solely with the selectors. He prefers not to dwell on the stress of selection, instead focusing on what he can control: consistently scoring runs.
“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 thoughts behind when I should play. That is the selector’s job, that is other people’s job. – Parag added.
At 22 years old, Riyan shared memories of conversations he had with his father when he was just 10. They often discussed Riyan’s dream of playing for India, holding onto that vision despite any challenges they faced. He clarified that his aspiration to represent the national team isn’t arrogance, but rather a deep-rooted confidence in his own skills.
“That is me believing in myself. That is not me being arrogant. That is what my plan was with my dad when I started playing cricket when I was like 10 years old. We were going to play for India regardless of anything.” – Riyan Parag concluded.
Riyan Parag isn’t concerned about the timing of his call-up to the Indian team.
Following his remarkable debut IPL season where he surpassed the 500-run milestone, Riyan Parag is confident that a call-up to the Indian team is inevitable. In an exclusive interview with Press Trust of India (PTI), Parag asserted that the national selectors will inevitably consider him as a viable option in the near future. His conviction that he will represent India is not merely a prediction but a firmly held belief.
Even during periods when Riyan Parag wasn’t scoring runs in the Indian Premier League, he maintained the belief that he would eventually wear the Indian jersey. However, his stellar performance in IPL 2024, where he emerged as the highest scorer from his team and the third highest overall, has reinforced his belief that an opportunity to represent India is on the horizon.
“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. When I was not scoring runs – I said this in an interview as well that I am going to play for India.” – Parag told PTI.
