Before the first T20I of the five-match series against Zimbabwe in Harare, Riyan Parag received his first India cap from his father, Parag Das. Not only did the historic event accomplish a personal desire for Parag, it also made history by making him the first player from Assam to represent India in international cricket.
Das, who played 43 first-class matches and 32 List-A games as an Assamese cricket player, had the privilege of giving his son the coveted blue cap. A dream come true for both, as seen by the tearful father-son embrace that ensued.
A moment to cherish forever 💙@ParagRiyan was handed his first #TeamIndia cap by his proud father 🧢 🙌#SonySportsNetwork #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/x3YLFFcVSg
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 6, 2024
Riyan has had an incredible journey to join the Indian team. Following his debut in the 2018 U-19 World Cup, the young all-round player has been rising through the ranks of Indian cricket. His time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Rajasthan Royals from 2019 has been crucial to his talent development.
In the IPL 2024, Riyan Parag finished as the third-highest run scorer.
The 22-year-old has put up some very amazing performances lately. With 11 wickets taken and 510 runs at a strike rate of 182.79 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 event, Parag led the domes:tic circuit. He produced consistently with both bat and ball in the Deodhar Trophy and Ranji Trophy, showcasing his form. Parag achieved unprecedented success in the IPL 2024 season, completing as the third-highest run scorer overall with 573 runs at a strike rate of 149.22.
Also Read: Ravi Bishnoi’s first-ball expulsion during ZIM vs. IND causes confusion and drama in Harare
In the same game, Dhruv Jurel and Abhishek Sharma also received their first India caps, all under the guidance of the team’s new captain Shubman Gill. After winning the toss, India decided to bowl first. Three pacers were fielded by the Men in Blue: Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar. Additionally, they included two spinners in the playing XI, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi.
India
