Assam’s Riyan Parag brings hope for the state

Riyan Parag – The News Mill
Riyan Parag with Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid (Left)

Sixteen year old Guwahati boy Riyan Parag got selected for the under 19 team India to play in the Asia Cup in Malaysia from November 9 to 20 which was announced recently.

Son of former Ranji player Parag Das and national record holder swimmer Mithu Baruah, Riyan is a hard-hitting batsman and a leg break bowler.

Former players expressed hope on the youngster of capable of breaking the jinx from Assam to get into the national squad in next five years.

Riyan has already proved his mettle by scoring three fifties in four innings during the tour of England in July this year.

Riyan who was appreciated for his batting style scored 8, 52, 68 and 50 in two four-day matches at Worcester and Chesterfield under tough batting conditions.

Former Assam pace spearhead Javed Zaman said that under 19 tournaments are the best platform to attract the selectors.

“We are hopeful of Riyan. I have seen him batting. He’s extremely talented and technically sound. To get the selection from Duleep Trophy or Ranji Trophy is a bit lengthy but if he plays well here, I’m sure in the next two or three years of time, we can see him wearing the team India cap,” said Zaman who represented India A.

Riyan has already made his debut for the state team in Vijay Hazare Trophy and The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2016-17 season.

Syed Zakaria Zuffri, one of the most successful cricketers of the state who currently coaches the Ranji team also sees Riyan as a bright prospect for the state.

“As he (Riyan) also started to bowl, it can be a very good all round potential for any team. It’s good news for the state,” said Zuffri.

Meanwhile, Riyan’s father Parag Das who represented Assam as an opening batsman thinks his son is well capable of handling pressure.

“He is too young to make a comment but what I have witnessed that he can well handle the pressure. May be better than I do! He has the ability to leave the balls outside the off stump which is very much needed to play longer innings. Also he has a solid defense. He has already proved that he can also hit the ball hard during his English tour,” Das said.

Das said that his ultimate goal is to see Riyan play for team India.

So far several players from Assam have represented India ‘A’ and other teams but no one has got the India call.

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Avatar photo
About Abdul Gani

-

Abdul Gani is a Guwahati-based journalist