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The resurgence of cricketers often serves as a testament to their resilience, determination, and expertise. Whether it involves recovering from injuries, overcoming a loss of form, or coping with being sidelined from the team, cricketers encounter numerous hurdles throughout their careers. Yet, what distinguishes the elite performers is their capacity to bounce back even stronger. The latest addition to this narrative is Rajasthan Royals’ star player, Riyan Parag.
The journey of resilience
After facing a tough phase in IPL 2023, where his performance didn’t meet expectations, Riyan could have easily been disheartened. However, displaying immense resilience, he utilized that setback as a stepping stone for growth. His dedication and hard work paid off as he emerged as one of the standout performers in IPL 2024.
Version 2.0 rocks
Riyan’s transformation into a superhit 2.0 version is a testament to his dedication and hard work. Despite his struggles, he didn’t lose faith in his abilities. Instead, he honed his skills even further, determined to make a strong comeback. The ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) showcased Riyan’s resurgence.
Coming off a stunning domestic cricket season, he translated his form into the IPL arena. With two fifties in three matches and even capturing the prestigious orange cap at one point, Riyan’s performance has been nothing short of spectacular. In light of this, let’s delve into some key facts about Riyan.
A rising star with roots in Assam
Riyan, who hails from Assam and was born on November 10, 2001, has donned the jersey of the Indian national under-19 cricket team. Primarily known as a right-handed batter, he also occasionally showcases his skills as a right-arm off-break bowler. His breakthrough moment came during the 2018 IPL season while representing the Rajasthan Royals franchise.
Sporting background
Notably, Riyan comes from a sporting background. His father, Parag Das, a former first-class cricketer, has represented teams like Assam, Railways, and East Zone. On the other hand, his mother, Mithoo Barooah, boasts a remarkable career as a former national record holder in the 50m freestyle swimming event. She proudly represented India at prestigious events such as the Asian Championships and SAF Games.
The MS Dhoni connection
Interestingly, there’s a significant connection between Riyan’s father Parag Das and the legendary cricketer MS Dhoni. Both Parag Das and Dhoni had shared the field during their participation in Railways’ tournaments. Coincidentally, Dhoni was keeping wickets and leading the opposition team on Riyan’s IPL debut, adding an intriguing layer to their connection.
Early cricketing milestones
Riyan embarked on his Twenty20 debut for Assam during the 2016–17 Inter State Twenty-20 Tournament on January 29, 2017. Shortly after, in October 2017, he earned a spot in India’s squad for the 2017 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup. Transitioning to the first-class arena, Riyan marked his debut for Assam in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy on November 17, 2017.
Emerging as a youth cricket sensation
In 2017, Riyan earned a place in India’s Under-19 squad for the two youth Tests held in England. Impressively, he emerged as India’s second-highest run-scorer in those Tests, trailing only behind Prithvi Shaw. Before this tour, Riyan had a remarkable season, finishing as the second-highest run-getter in the 2016-17 Cooch Behar Trophy, the prestigious national four-day tournament for U-19 players. He accumulated an impressive total of 642 runs in 14 innings during this period.
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U19 World Cup days
He secured a spot in the India A squad for the India U19 Challenger Trophy in 2017, where he emerged as the tournament’s top run-scorer. Later that year, in December, he earned selection in India’s squad for the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
According to the former India U19 coach Rahul Dravid, Riyan showcased phenomenal form leading up to the tournament, impressing with his exquisite batting. However, an unfortunate injury sidelined him during this crucial period.
IPL journey begins with Rajasthan Royals
In December 2018, Riyan was acquired by the Rajasthan Royals during the player auction for the 2019 IPL, fetching his base price of INR 20 lakhs. During the 2022 IPL season, he set a record by taking 17 catches, surpassing all other Indian fielders and non-wicket-keepers in the tournament.
Dominance in domestic cricket tournaments
During the 2022-23 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Riyan emerged as Assam’s top run-scorer and secured the fifth position overall among all teams for the season. In the subsequent 2023 Deodhar Trophy, he earned the prestigious title of Player of the Series for his outstanding performance. Riyan excelled as the leading run-scorer, highest six-hitter, and ranked third in terms of wickets taken in the tournament. Amassing a total of 354 runs at an impressive batting average of 88.50, he also clinched 11 wickets with a bowling average of 19.09.
In the following 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Riyan continued his stellar form, emerging as both the highest run-scorer and the highest six-hitter. With a remarkable tally of 510 runs and 40 sixes, he showcased his dominance in the tournament. Additionally, his consistent performances earned him a place in the India A cricket team squad for the 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
