Some might think it is arrogance taken to the extreme but watching Riyan Parag as he looks into your eyes and says ‘I am going to play for India no matter what’, it shows his strong conviction in own abilities and skills.
“Eventually, you will have to pick me right? So that’s me being like ok I’m going to play for India. It doesn’t matter when,” declared Parag confidently during an exclusive interview with PTI on Wednesday.
No young player has ever been more polarizing than this 22-year-old from Assam who had a breakout IPL season where he scored 573 runs at a strike rate of almost 150 while batting at No.4 for Rajasthan Royals.
In his previous five years in IPL, Riyan who was part of the 2018 U-19 World Cup winning squad did not even have one 200-run season. He faced some harsh criticism on social media during his transformation from boyhood into manhood
“When I wasn’t scoring runs – I said this even before in another interview – so ‘that is how I was going to play for India.’ Parag confirmed during an interview after participating in Mumbai Campus Cricket last Wednesday organized by Red Bull, which he admired as talent fostering exercise.
“That is confidence in myself. That is not arrogance. My father (Parag Das, former Railways and Assam player) and I planned it out when I started playing cricket around the age of ten, we were meant to represent India irrespective of anything else.” (a project together)
A few players such as Riyan, Abhishek Sharma, and Harshit Rana are highly likely candidates for selection on the upcoming Zimbabwe tour.
“It could be my next tour or a tour six months later or maybe after a year…when should I play does not come into my mind; that’s up to selectors and others,” responded Riyan.
After experiencing firsthand how social media can be cruel, he no longer lets it affect him.
“Because if you react, you got to react quick and smart. Social media and mental pressure play a big role in that. You know, when it’s all said and done…doesn’t it start with little joy?,” he queried.
“People get very hyped up once you start performing. Once I start reading those things, I get the satisfaction of listening to other people or watching other things.”
This year’s IPL has been an indication that he belongs at the highest level.
“But what I’ve realized in the past one or two years is that I need undeniable evidence that I am capable of playing at this level. Which means (that) me practising a lot, me practising at that level, practicing those situations,” answered Parag.
What was his biggest take away from the season?
“The biggest takeaway from last season for me is believing in yourself really works because a lot of people say a lot of different things whether negative or positive but eventually all that matters is what you think about yourself and that’s what I’ve been.”
Riyan’s performance since his debut in 2018 with the Rajasthan Royals has been very disappointing over the last five seasons, with scores of 160, 86, 93, 183 and 78.
“I had more rough times than the good ones. And I think that self-belief that you belong here, that you can actually achieve what you’ve always wanted to do in your life has remained a constant throughout.”
“The way I was playing IPL this year is how I play domestic cricket. 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,” he said.
So what changed from previous years?
“I wasn’t doing it at IPL. The pressure on me was too much; my expectations were too high which meant that some basic things were not done.”
Moreover No.4 batting slot for RR clicked.
“That’s what I realized this year; of playing at my favorite position as well as No 4 . So there was (sic) like “okay,” what i do at domestic cricket ,this is just going to follow me at IPL and let’s see how it goes”. It worked out perfectly,” he said.
During a considerable period of time this IPL season RR had an admirable run though eventually they lost momentum after reaching playoffs and finishing third. Parag felt there was still an air of disappointment around.
“”I’m still dealing with it. When i returned home,i was super upset.Night after game,it didn’t sink in but day after match,and before final it was tough,” he said.
“It’s hard when in such situations one struggles during the course of a game but then again this is how cricket operates as we have many world class teams playing in such tournaments also,” Parag added.
