Riyan Parag: The Rising Star of Indian Cricket – Career, Team, and 5 Shocking Moments
**Let's Begin**
Riyan Parag is one of the most promising young prospects in Indian cricket today. A powerful all-rounder noted for his explosive hitting and effective leg-spin, Parag has been making waves in local cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). Playing with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL, he has displayed glimpses of brilliance, coupled with times of controversy and volatility.
In this essay, we’ll explore: - Riyan Parag’s cricket experience - His team, Rajasthan Royals, and squad details - **5 most startling and unforgettable moments** from his career - His future chances in Indian cricket
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## **Who is Riyan Parag? **
Riyan Parag was born on **November 10, 2001**, in **Guwahati, Assam**. He hails from a family with a strong cricketing background—his father, **Parag Das**, was a former first-class cricketer, while his mother, **Mithu Baruah**, was a state-level swimmer.
### **Early Career & Domestic Cricket** - Made his **First-Class debut** for Assam in 2017 at barely **15 years old**.
- Became the **youngest ever** to score a half-century in the Ranji Trophy (2017).
- A consistent performer in the **Vijay Hazare Trophy** and **Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy**.
### **IPL Career with Rajasthan Royals** - **Debut (2019):** Joined RR at **17 years old**, becoming one of the youngest players in IPL history.
- **Role:** Middle-order batsman + part-time leg-spinner.
- **Key Performances:** - **56* vs DC (2019)** – Youngest IPL half-centurion at the time (17y 175d).
- **2022 Season:** Played vital cameos, notably a **19-ball 40 versus RCB**. - **2023 Season:** Struggled for consistency but showed glimpses of his brilliance.
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## **Rajasthan Royals (RR): Team Overview & Squad Size** Riyan Parag plays for **Rajasthan Royals (RR)** in the IPL, one of the original eight franchises.
### **RR Team Details (2024 Season)** - ** Captain:** Sanju Samson - **Coach:** Kumar Sangakkara - ** Home Ground:** Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur - ** Squad Size:** **25 players** (includes retained, purchased, and traded players)
### **Key Players in RR (2024)** 1. **Sanju Samson (C & WK)** 2. **Jos Buttler** (Explosive opener)
3. **Yashasvi Jaiswal** (Young batting superstar)
4. **Trent Boult** (Lead fast bowler)
5. **Ravichandran Ashwin** (Spin wizard)
6. **Riyan Parag** (Middle-order finisher)
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5 Most Shocking & Memorable Moments in Riyan Parag’s Career
### **1. Youngest Half-Centurion in IPL (2019) – A Record-Breaking Debut** - ** Match:** RR versus DC (April 22, 2019)
- **Performance:** **50* off 49 balls** (at **17 years, 175 days**)
- **Why Shocking?**
- Broke Sanju Samson’s record for the youngest IPL half-centurion.
- Played a mature knock under pressure when RR was struggling.
- Proved he belongs among elite players despite his age.
### **2. Viral On-Field Spat with R Ashwin (2023) – The Attitude Controversy** - **Match:** RR versus CSK (April 2023)
- **Incident:**
- Parag was spotted **arguing with senior colleague R Ashwin** over field location.
- Ashwin was obviously agitated, leading to social media disputes.
- **Why Shocking?**
- Rare to watch a teenager fight an experienced veteran like Ashwin.
- Fans questioned Parag’s attitude and maturity.
### **3. Match-Winning Knock against RCB (2022) – Proving His Worth - ** Match:** RR versus RCB (April 2022)
- **Performance:** **19-ball 40* (4 fours, 2 sixes) ** - **Why Memorable?**
- Came in at a stressful period (RR needed rapid runs).
- Played brave cricket against Harshal Patel & Wanindu Hasaranga.
- Helped RR chase down a tough total.
### **4. Social Media Backlash & Trolls (2020-2023) – The "Attitude" Debate** - **Incident:** - Parag routinely wrote **confident, borderline cocky** tweets.
- After terrible performances, supporters mocked him for his "arrogance."
- Example: **"I know what I’m capable of"** tweet after a duck.
- **Why Shocking?**
- Rare for a young athlete to endure so intensive scrutiny.
- Divided opinions—some termed it self-belief, others immaturity.
### **5. Assam Captaincy at 21 (2023) – A Huge Responsibility ** - **Event:** Named **Assam’s captain** for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2023).
- **Why Memorable?**
- One of the youngest captains in Indian domestic cricket. - Showed leadership potential despite his disappointing IPL results. - Proved selectors still had trust in his skill.
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## **Future Prospects: Can Riyan Parag Play for India?** - **Strengths:** Power-hitting, useful leg-spin, gutsy attitude.
- **Weaknesses:** Inconsistency, temperament difficulties.
- **Path to Team India:**
- Needs a **breakthrough IPL season (400+ runs)**.
- Must improve against **short-pitch bowling** (a present weakness).
- Could be a **T20 World Cup 2026** contender if he grows.
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## **Conclusion** Riyan Parag is a **talented but polarizing** personality in Indian cricket. His **fearless hitting, occasional scandals, and undoubted potential** make him one of the most talked-about young players. While he has experienced **trolling and criticism**, his **record-breaking feats and match-winning knocks** suggest he has the talent to succeed.
If he can **improve his consistency and temperament**, Riyan Parag might soon wear the **Indian jersey**. For now, all eyes are on his **2024 IPL season** with Rajasthan Royals.
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