Riyan Parag, the 22-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter, has taken the IPL 2024 by storm. Sitting atop the run-scorers list for a brief period, his consistent performances have silenced critics and ignited dreams of an India call-up.
Rocky start and years of patience for Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag‘s journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. In previous IPL seasons, his contributions were inconsistent, leading many to question his place in the Royals’ line-up. However, a string of stellar performances in domestic cricket, particularly the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showcased a marked improvement in his batting.
Dedication and Sacrifice: The Path to Progress
Parag’s father, Parag Das, attributes his son’s success to relentless dedication. Despite limited time, Riyan Parag utilizes every opportunity to hone his skills at the Rajasthan Royals Academy in Guwahati under the watchful eye of Zubin Bharucha. This focused practice on facing fast bowling, uppercuts, and reverse sweeps has yielded impressive results.
India Calling? Dad Offers Wise Advice
When questioned about a potential India call-up, Parag Das emphasizes that selection is in the hands of the selectors. He encourages his son to maintain an exceptional level of performance, surpassing the achievements of his competitors to stay in the selectors’ spotlight. RR batter’s father told Insidesport:
“Whenever he gets time, he goes to the Rajasthan Royals Academy in Guwahati, and Zubin Bharucha sir, has been looking after him. He goes there for 20 minutes, half an hour, one hour, whatever he gets, and he practices his shots against fast bowling, his uppercuts and his reverse sweeps.”
“Well, about the India call-up, I cannot really say that it’s on selectors. All I could tell him was ‘please make your domestic performances better’. If people are hitting five hundreds, make sure you hit six hundreds, so that you can be in their focus right in front of their eyes. And the rest is obviously on the God for that.“
Rajasthan Royals: Belief and Investment Pay Off
A significant credit goes to the Rajasthan Royals’ management and owners. They stood by Riyan Parag for five years, recognizing his potential despite his inconsistent performances. This unwavering support and faith, even amidst outside criticism, have now begun to bear fruit.
From Trolls to Triumph for Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag’s early IPL struggles made him a target for harsh criticism on social media. However, his recent success has prompted a dramatic shift.
The negativity has been replaced by praise, and comparisons are even being drawn to Suryakumar Yadav, the world’s No. 1 T20 batter.
The Dream Continues for Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag’s IPL 2024 performance has reignited his dream of representing India. His dedication, the unwavering support of his team, and his exceptional talent have paved the way for a promising future. Whether he dons the national jersey soon remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Riyan Parag is a force to be reckoned with.
