Watch: Riyan Parag turns into Rohit Sharma ahead of Zimbabwe T20Is, performs this India captain-like act
Published - 03 Jul 2024, 02:23 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 03:46 AM
Young Indian all-rounder Riyan Parag expressed his excitement about traveling to Zimbabwe for the upcoming five-match T20I series. Riyan Parag revealed how he initially forgot his passport and phone before joining the Indian cricket team, adding that traveling with the Indian team had been his childhood dream.
Riyan Parag earned his maiden call-up to the Indian national team after his impressive batting performances in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The batter scored 573 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 149.22, including four half-centuries, while representing the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, picked many new faces in the Indian squad for the upcoming series. Young opening batter Shubman Gill will lead the team on the tour of Zimbabwe. The series will begin at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Saturday, July 6, with the final match scheduled for July 14.
Had Dreamed Of Travelling Like This - Riyan Parag
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In a video posted by BCCI on 'X' (formerly known as Twitter), Riyan Parag stated that traveling with the team and wearing the Indian jersey was a childhood dream. Parag also noted the presence of familiar teammates he had played with before, despite the squad featuring many new faces.
"From my childhood, I had dreamed of travelling like this. We play cricket a lot but other things which come with, like travelling with the team and wearing the Indian team clothes," said Parag.
"So excited that I forgotten my passport, my phone. I have not forgotten but I misplaced them. I have it now. It's a new team. Almost a very new team. A lot of new faces in the Indian squad but a lot of old faces as well as I have played with them a lot," he added.
Riyan Parag has scored 1173 runs in 69 IPL matches with a strike rate of 135.14, including six half-centuries. The Assam-born cricketer has taken four wickets in 29.1 overs bowled in the T20 league. Now, Parag aims to translate his strong performance from the IPL 2024 into international cricket.
Now It Has Finally Come True - Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag said that his upcoming debut in Zimbabwe will be a special moment for him, fulfilling his childhood dream. The 22-year-old stated that it will be a deeply emotional moment when he steps onto the field for the first time, marking a significant milestone in his cricketing journey.
"A young boy from Assam was always dreaming about this. Now it has finally come true. A lot of happiness is there. And Zimbabwe will have a special connection. Whenever I play my first match, it will be a special moment for that ground and myself, which will be very secret," said Parag.
The Indian team arrived in Zimbabwe early on Wednesday morning. Shubman Gill joined directly from the USA. Harshit Rana, Sai Sudharsan, and Jitesh Sharma were called up in the absence of Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the first two games. All matches in the series are scheduled to be held in Harare.
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