Really delighted that Riyan Parag is here with the team: SuryaKumar Yadav

After multiple IPL failures, young Riyan Parag received harsh criticism. Although the Rajasthan Royals purchased him, Parag was unable to live up to expectations until 2024, when he at last had his breakout season and was called up to the national squad. In the lucrative event, the cricketer from Assam amassed 573 runs in 14 matches, placing him third overall in run scoring after Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli.

During the event, Suryakumar Yadav specifically praised Parag for his discipline and dedication to the game, taking to X. Yadav, who would command Parag in the forthcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, was selected the new captain of the India T20I side four months later. Before the first Twenty20 International in Pallekele, the cricketer from Mumbai showered Parag with praise once more, adding that the all-rounder handled the trolls well and that he is now glad to have him in the team.

“Every sport experiences trolling; it’s not exclusive to cricket. It matters how an athlete handles it. He has my highest regard. I told him there was a “X-Factor” in him when we first met at NCA after we had both gone there for rehab, and I had said this before the IPL as well. All he needs to do is set aside all other distractions and concentrate on this (his cricket). He understood that throughout the previous three to four years in the IPL, he had changed significantly as a player, Suryakumar stated at the pre-game news conference.

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I’m ecstatic for him. For the past two years, he has also been playing well in domestic cricket. Cricket played domestically provides a solid foundation and platform. In international cricket, it helps you understand how to score runs later in your career. That’s how it helps. But having him here with the squad makes me incredibly happy,” he continued.

Riyan Parag might not be included in India’s starting lineup.

Despite the presence of Rishabh Pant, Surkyakumar, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag may not immediately make the starting XI, but the selectors are closely monitoring his progress, which is why he is included in the ODI team.