Riyan Parag, who had his best IPL so far this year, scoring 573 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150, was at the Rajasthan Royals Academy in Talegaon, outside of Nagpur, when Riyan Parag received news of his first India call-up – for five T20Is in Zimbabwe in July. It marked a significant milestone for the former Under-19 World Cup winner (2018) and the IPL’s youngest half-centurion (in 2019).
Not long ago, his dream to play for India had seemed distant, when Riyan Parag had four wretched IPL seasons. His celebrations on the field and his outgoing personality often made him a target of online abuse, especially after he couldn’t build on his early promise. After the 2023 IPL, Riyan Parag was determined to turn things around.
Riyan Parag’s IPL season 2024
After an impressive debut season in 2019, Riyan Parag struggled for the next four seasons, leading to questions about his place in the team. After an impressive debut season in 2019, Riyan Parag struggled for the next four seasons, leading to questions about his place in the team. During this challenging period, he faced significant criticism and negativity due to his inconsistent performances.
However, his fortunes changed in the 2024 IPL season, where he emerged as one of the leading run-scorers. This successful season paved the way for his selection to the Indian team.
In the 2024 IPL, Parag ended up as the third-highest run-scorer, amassing 573 runs from 16 matches at an average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21. He recorded four half-centuries, with a top score of 84 not out.
Riyan Parag expressed that he did not deserve the trolling he faced during a rough patch in his career. The young cricketer recently received his first call-up to the Indian national team for a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Parag gained recognition after India’s victory in the U19 World Cup 2018 in New Zealand, following which he was picked by Rajasthan Royals to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Riyan Parag opens up on handling hatred and negativity ahead of Zimbabwe tour of 2024
Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Riyan Parag admitted being affected by the undeserved hatred and negativity directed towards him earlier in his career. The 22-year-old received an IPL contract from RR in his teens in 2019 but succumbed to expectations. Riyan Parag had a reasonably impressive debut IPL season in 2019 with an average of 32 and a strike rate of 126.98 in seven games. However, he struggled massively in the next four IPL seasons from 2020 to 2023 with a lone half-century in 47 games.
Apart from his poor on-field performances, fans also went at Parag for his nonchalant and seemingly carefree approach. In an interview with ESPNCricinfo after his maiden India call-up for the upcoming Zimbabwe T20Is, Parag said:
“It’s not easy. But then again, after last year, I had a chat with myself. And this sort of a comeback is personal, because I had to put up with stuff I didn’t really deserve. Maybe I’ve lacked in preparation, maybe I’ve lacked in a few things, but then I’ve always put my best foot forward.
I thought I didn’t deserve all the trolling, but what could I do? People are going to say things regardless. Last year they said I wasn’t good enough to play in the IPL. Now they want me in the Indian team. So people change, just like a switch.”
Riyan Parag enjoyed a sensational turnaround domestic season after IPL 2023 and continued his impressive run in the 2024 IPL season. The Assam cricketer finished with 573 runs at an average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.22 in 15 matches, resulting in his national call-up.
“Maturity comes with pain” – Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag feels he matured as a cricketer thanks to all the pain caused by the hatred and negativity directed towards him.
The 22-year-old was heavily criticized by fans all over India for his dismal showing in the IPL until the 2024 season.
“Maturity comes with pain. There are millions watching the IPL. When I don’t perform, I feel terrible. And people add to it. Opinions from fans add to it. Opinions from great players add to it. So I just had to figure out what really mattered. Why was I getting so much hate?
Why was I getting negative energy from all the people except those from the Royals set-up? I tried to understand my game. And once I started doing that, I got this sudden love for getting into cricket a lot,” said Parag.
Parag will likely debut for India in the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting in Harare on Saturday, July 6