Riyan Parag, the young sensation from Assam, had a stellar season for Rajasthan Royals in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 22-year-old emerged as the highest run-scorer for RR, amassing 573 runs at an impressive average of 52.1 and a striking rate of 149.2. His outstanding performance played a crucial role in RR finishing third on the points table.
Despite his remarkable form, Parag narrowly missed out on a spot in the national team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, the talented batsman remains confident in his abilities and firmly believes that he will represent India in the near future.
In an exclusive interaction with PTI, Parag expressed his unwavering self-belief, stating, “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.” He emphasized that his confidence never wavered, even during times when he was not scoring runs.
Looking ahead, Parag is expected to be a key contender for India’s tour of Zimbabwe following the T20 World Cup. With senior players likely to be rested, Parag and other promising youngsters will have the opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage.
Reflecting on his breakthrough season in the IPL, Parag credited his success to playing at his favorite batting position and adopting a more relaxed approach to the game. Despite RR’s early success in the tournament, they faltered towards the end, eventually bowing out in the playoffs.
As Parag continues to impress with his performances, cricket fans eagerly await his future exploits on the international stage, as he looks to fulfill his dream of representing the country at the highest level.