Riyan Parag Confident of Future India Call-Up After Stellar IPL Season

Riyan Parag, the 22-year-old rising star of Indian cricket, has expressed unwavering confidence in his ability to represent the national team in the future. Coming off a stellar season with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, where he amassed 573 runs at an impressive average of 52.09 and a strike rate of 149.21, Parag believes his time to don the Indian jersey is approaching.

"At some point, you'll have to take me, right? So that is my belief, I'm going to play for India," Parag asserted. "I don't really care when. [Even] when I was not scoring runs - I said this in an [earlier] interview as well that I am going to play for India."

Parag's unwavering belief in his abilities stems from his childhood aspirations and the unwavering support of his father, Parag Das, a former Railways and Assam player. "That is me believing in myself. That is not me being arrogant. That is what my plan was with my dad, when I started playing cricket when I was like 10-years old. We were going to play for India regardless of anything."

With India set to tour Zimbabwe for five T20Is after their T20 World Cup campaign, Parag could be among the players to earn a call-up. However, his focus remains on performing consistently and earning his place on merit. "Whether it's the next tour, whether it's a tour in six months, whether it's a tour in one year... I don't really put my thought behind when I should play," Parag said. "That is the selector's job, that is other people's job."

Parag's breakthrough season in the IPL came after a string of disappointing campaigns. However, a promotion to the No.4 batting position, where he excels for his state team Assam, provided the familiarity and confidence he needed to flourish. "What you saw this year in the IPL is how I play domestic cricket," Parag explained. "I take the onus up to myself, I take the expectations, I take the burden upon myself to deliver and that is why I play the best."

Despite Rajasthan Royals' disappointing finish in the IPL, Parag remains optimistic about the future. "I'm still dealing with it. I got back home and I was super sad," he admitted. "But then the day after the match and before the final, it was tough. It's tough, but then that's how cricket goes. There are world-class sides that are playing the tournament, world-class players that are playing the tournament [and you can't always win]."

Tags: #RiyanParag, #IndianCricket, #IPL2024, #RajasthanRoyals, #T20WorldCup