September 1, 2025

Riyan Parag had a rollercoaster ride during the IPL last year! The young right-handed all-rounder struggled to make a big splash as his team, Rajasthan Royals, ended up ninth on the points table. To add to the pressure, Riyan had to lead the Royals in captain Sanju Samson’s absence. Despite scoring 393 runs, Parag couldn't secure a place in India's 15-member Asia Cup squad and was only named on the reserve list. The pressure cooker moments didn't end there. Parag juggled leadership duties while nursing a shoulder injury, which made things even tougher. But good news is here — he has recovered well! ‘‘Since the IPL, I haven’t really played any cricket. During the IPL, I was managing a lot of stress. But this was a good outing. I bowled a few overs and batted for a while. I could have converted my innings into a bigger score, but I’m happy. My arm also feels much better,’’ Parag told the Times of India. Now, the star from Assam is zooming back with full energy. He’s geared up for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season and spreading his wings for the big Australia tour scheduled for October. ‘‘I think it’s back to basics now. I took a break for my shoulder, and now the Ranji Trophy season is coming up, followed by the Australia tour in October,’’ he added. Before this, Riyan led the East Zone side in the Duleep Trophy match where he scored 39 runs off 47 balls. He also grabbed the important wicket of young talent Yash Dhull. But guess what? Parag’s main focus was just to enjoy the game and get back into rhythm after a break. ‘‘The match felt good. That was the main goal when I came here to play. I didn’t focus too much on my performances; I just wanted to have some fun. I haven’t played competitive cricket in a long time,’’ he said. So, despite missing the Asia Cup, Riyan Parag is keeping his spirits high and eyes firmly set on future battles. With his injury behind and passion burning bright, the cricket fans can expect this young star to bounce back stronger than ever!

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Tags: Riyan parag, Ipl 2023, Asia cup 2023, Rajasthan royals, Duleep trophy, Ranji trophy,