(Source X)
Tilak Varma, the Indian middle-order batsman, will not be part of the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting this Saturday, July 27. His absence is due to ongoing recovery from a hand injury sustained during the IPL 2024 season. Despite initial progress at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, a subsequent injury to his other hand has further delayed his return to competitive cricket. Consequently, Varma was not considered for selection in the series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
In his place, Riyan Parag, a promising all-rounder from Assam, has been included in both the T20I and ODI squads against Sri Lanka. Varma, aged 21, made a notable international debut in T20Is against the West Indies in 2023, impressing with 173 runs in five matches at an average of 57.67 and a strike rate of 140.65. He has since played 16 T20Is, accumulating 336 runs at an average of 33.60.
Varma’s ODI journey began in the Asia Cup 2023 against Bangladesh, and he last represented India in an ODI against South Africa in December of the same year. Across four ODIs, he has scored 68 runs at an average of 22.67, showcasing a best score of 52.
Riyan Parag’s inclusion in both India’s T20I and ODI squads for the Sri Lanka tour, as reported by Times of India, stems from Tilak Varma’s injury. The report highlights Parag’s dual prowess with bat and ball, underscoring his potential as a significant asset in India’s white-ball cricket endeavors moving forward.
“Parag is highly talented and has improved his attitude towards the game by several notches. He’s now looking to stay at the wicket. To add to his value, he can bowl decently and is a terrific fielder to boot. The selectors want to nurture him for the future,” the source told TOI.
According to the report, Harshit Rana’s inclusion in the ODIs is attributed to his skill set, which includes expertise in bowling yorkers, slower deliveries, and a variety of other bowling variations. His selection underscores his potential as a valuable addition to the Indian cricket team’s white-ball strategy.
“He can bowl yorkers, slower balls, and employ other variations at the death. That makes him a good option in white-ball cricket,” the source added.
Riyan Parag has made significant strides in domestic cricket and IPL 2024, showcasing his talent with bat and ball. He emerged as the top scorer in both the Deodhar Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, leading Assam to their first-ever semi-final in the latter. During IPL 2024, Parag impressed with 573 runs at an outstanding average of 52.09 and a striking strike rate of 149.22.
Despite a modest start in his recent T20I debut against Zimbabwe, where he scored 24 runs across two innings at a strike rate of 88.88, Parag’s potential to contribute effectively in both disciplines earned him a spot in both India’s T20I and ODI squads for the Sri Lanka tour.
