'When Virat Kohli gave him cap...' - Basit Ali predicts greatness for Riyan Parag but criticizes Indian team management for mishandling him

Former Pakistan cricketer and coach Basit Ali made some startling claims about the young all-rounder Riyan Parag's potential and his current role in the Indian cricket team after his impressive ODI debut in the final game against Sri Lanka in Colombo on August 7.

Basit Ali has suggested that Riyan Parag has all the qualities to become a cricketing superstar in the coming years but is being mishandled by the Indian team management, especially new coach Gautam Gambhir.

Riyan Parag will be a superstar in the coming days: Basit Ali

The former Pakistani player Basit Ali revealed that when Virat Kohli handed Parag his debut cap, he felt the stardom for Assam lad in the future in his heart. The 53-year-old predicted that Parag is destined for greatness, but he was not impressed much by the youngster's spin bowling against Sri Lanka in the last game.

He registered impressive bowling figures of 3/54 in 9 overs during India’s 11-run defeat in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Ali bluntly said that Team India must rely on Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder for the big events, as Parag has no strength in his bowling.

Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel: “When Virat Kohli gave Riyan Parag the cap, and I was watching. My heart said that he would be a superstar in the coming days. I heard it from inside. He is big-player material. This kid has a bright future ahead, but he has no strength in bowling. And that’s why India will have to play Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder in the big events.”

Basit Ali also criticized Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma and coach Gambhir, as he expressed surprise at Parag's batting position, arguing that he should be utilized in the middle order rather than being used as the tailender in the third ODI.

Former Pakistan coach slams Indian team management for interrupting Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag batted at number seven and scored 15 runs off 13 balls before being cleanly bowled by Jeffrey Vandersay. The former Pakistan coach also slammed the Indian team’s strategy of treating ODIs like T20 games, suggesting that the approach is flawed and not suited to the longer format.

He also questioned Parag’s bowling effectiveness with the ball. However, Ali noted that the young spinner was successful with his leg breaks and flight deliveries, saying his speed helped him to make a significant impact in Colombo.

Ali further noted, “He has not got good numbers today, but I think Riyan should have batted at number 4 or 5 or 6. The left-right combination that Gautam Gambhir is doing, I want to tell him this is not T20I cricket; it is 50-over cricket, but India is playing T20 cricket.”

He signed off by saying, “He was giving flight and leg breaks. Like Ravichandran Ashwin. But his bowling speed was 80 to 82 km. His speed wasn’t 95 or 95+, so he was doing well in Colombo. But after one or two balls, he deceives in flight. I am surprised. The bowling coach and the new team management gathered on the ground. It was a wrong sign. What were you trying to show?”

Notably, Riyan Parag recently made his T20I debut during India’s recent tour of Zimbabwe. He also rolled his arms over in the T20I against Sri Lanka and got success before spinning magic in the third ODI.