Sports Desk, 7th July: In a momentous occasion for Assam and Indian cricket, Riyan Parag has made history as the first male cricketer from Assam to represent India at the international level. The young all-rounder received his debut India cap from his father, Parag Das, himself a former first-class cricketer for Assam. The touching scene of father handing over the cap to son marked a dream-come-true moment as Riyan geared up for his maiden appearance in the first T20I against Zimbabwe.
Riyan Parag’s journey to this milestone has been extraordinary. His career trajectory soared after representing India at the U-19 World Cup in 2018, followed by impactful performances for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Renowned for his versatility with both bat and ball, Riyan’s recent domestic exploits have been stellar. He excelled in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, topping the charts with 510 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 182.79 and claiming 11 wickets. His consistency extended into the Deodhar Trophy and Ranji Trophy, where he continued to impress.
In the IPL 2024 season, Riyan Parag stood out as a top performer, initially winning the Orange Cap and finishing as his team’s leading scorer with 573 runs at a strike rate of 149.22.
Joining Riyan Parag in making their debut for India in the first T20I against Zimbabwe were Dhruv Jurel and Abhishek Sharma. Despite a valiant effort by the youthful Indian squad under the leadership of Shubman Gill, they faced a narrow 13-run defeat in the opening match of the five-game series at the Harare Sports Club.
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