IND vs IRE: Watch - Riyan Parag makes controversial 'don't want to watch World Cup' remark; rejects naming top 4

Rajasthan Royals (RR) star Riyan Parag has voiced his frustration over being left out of India's squad for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, despite his stellar performances in the IPL 2024.

The Assam all-rounder delivered consistent batting heroics for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2024, but the Indian selectors overlooked him for the global event in the USA and Caribbean.

This decision has evidently not sat well with the young cricketer, as his latest comments before India's T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Ireland on June 5 in New York could put him in hot water, and he can once again become the target of the Indian fans on social media.

Expressing his discontent, Parag blatantly said that he is not interested in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, and even he refused to predict the top four teams for the knockouts, which shows how he was baffled by the national selectors and the Indian cricket team management’s call.

Riyan Parag sparks controversy with bold statements over ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Parag said that he wouldn't even want to watch the T20 World Cup, and he would only check on the winner at the end of the tournament. And when he was asked about his message for Team India, the RR star wished only good luck without making any mention of the national team.

Such statements reflected his deep-seated frustration, but at the same time, he could found himself in unwanted controversy, as he completely declared his detachment from the T20 World Cup 2024 just because he was not picked, despite India’s hunger for the ICC trophy for the past 11 years.

In a video posted by Bharat Army on social media platform X, Royan Parag said was asked “What's your prediction for the top 4 teams? to which he replied, "It will be a biased answer but to be very honest, I don't even want to watch the World Cup. I'll just see who's winning it at the end and I'll be happy. When I play the World Cup, then I'll think about top 4 and all of that.”

When asked about his message for Team India, Riyan said: “Good luck!”

Riyan Parag in awe of Virat Kohli's aura

Meanwhile, Parag reflected on his admiration for Virat Kohli, recalling his awe when seeing the Indian cricket superstar in action for the first time. Parag said: “I had always seen him, that 183. I had always seen that but then first year seeing him once he walked onto the ground. It was I think RCB, Chinnaswamy were playing a 5 over game.

Actually, bold one over there, I don't know how. So, him walking out in Chinnaswamy and everyone else walking out, I suddenly felt that difference, that aura he has. The aura he brings with him in the field, I think that's where I knew him.”

Watch Here:

🗣️"Nobody matches Virat's onfield aura". #RiyanParag #T20WorldCup #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/xETkhN1Gok

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) June 1, 2024

Notably, Kohli played a remarkable knock of 183 runs against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2012, and it was the best innings of his ODI career till date. It is also the best innings played by any batter in the Asia Cup.