‘He has proved himself’: Proud parents of Assam cricketer Riyan Parag, first from NE to don the blue jersey and play for India

Proud moment for Assam. State’s very own cricketing star Riyan Parag is all set to don the blue jersey as the youngster has been named in the Indian national squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, announced the Board of Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI).

With this, Riyan Parag will script history as the first Assamese cricketer to play for the Indian national cricket team.

Speaking to media, Parag’s mother Mithoo Borooah said, ” Riyan is very hard-working. He has proved himself. I am very happy that as an Assamese has made it to the Indian team. Now that one Assamese is there, others will follow.”

His father Parag Das said, “Since 1947, nobody from Assam or Northeast has played for the national team. I hope people bless him for all future opportunities and he performs well.”

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed elation at the news of Riyan Parag’s Team India call-up.

Taking to X, CM Sarma wrote, “Riyan Parag This is the best news of the day! Our very own Assam boy becomes the first cricketer from the North East to join the ‘Men in Blue’ club. Dear Riyan, many congratulations for becoming a part of Team India’s T20 International series against Zimbabwe. This is a watershed moment for sports in Assam. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure several more youngsters from our State can take up sports as a full-time profession.”

https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1805230416137457885

India will be touring Zimbabwe for a five-match T20 series starting July 7, 2024.

The BCCI selection committee announced the 15-member team to be led by Shubman Gill for the upcoming tour.

Gill will be leading a new-look squad with several young and exciting new prospects including Riyan Parag named in the 15-member team.

Born in November 10, 2001, Riyan Parag plays as the Captain of Assam in domestic cricket and for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. He was a part of the Indian Under-19 team that won the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Riyan’s father, Parag Das is a former first-class cricketer who has represented Assam, Railways and East Zone cricket team.

His mother Mithoo Barooah, is a former national record holding swimmer in 50m freestyle who represented India at the Asian Championships and SAF Games.

In 2017, he was selected for India’s Under-19 squad for the two youth Tests in England. He finished the two youth Tests in England as India’s second-highest run-getter.

He was selected in India A squad for India U19 Challenger trophy 2017, and became the highest run-getter in that tournament.

He was the leading run-scorer for Assam in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, with 248 runs in seven matches.

In December 2018, he was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the player auction for the 2019 Indian Premier League.

During the 2019 Indian Premier League, he became the youngest cricketer to score a 50 in the history of the IPL. He achieved the feat at the age of 17 years and 175 days.

He was honoured with the Lala Amarnath best all-rounder award for the domestic season 2022-23 by the BCCI. The captain of the senior men’s team Rohit Sharma had presented him with the award.

In the IPL 2024 season, Riyan Parag was the highest run scorer for Rajasthan Royals, overall the third highest on the run scoring charts and fifth highest on the six hitters list with 573 runs and 33 sixes respectively.