Riyan Parag requests ex-cricketers to teach him how to play personally instead of trolling on social media

Riyan Parag has been part of the Rajasthan Royals since the Indian Premier League 2019.

The Indian Premier League has been a career-changing platform for many cricketers over the years. It has given many cricketers a chance to go on to represent their countries. Not just for India but also for other nations, a good IPL season has helped several players get a call in their national side. But at the same time, this game can also be cruel to many cricketers. Riyan Parag, a promising all-rounder from Assam who is part of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, is one such case.

Rajasthan Royals finished as runners-up in the IPL 2022. But they couldn't replicate the performances in the 16th edition of the game. After a brilliant start, RR flattered in the second half of the season and lost consecutive games. It resulted in them missing out on a place in the playoffs. RR ended the IPL 2023 on fifth place with seven wins and seven defeats in 14 matches.

"My goal right now is to get a call from India A"- Riyan Parag

The 22-year-old all-rounder, Riyan Parag made his IPL debut in 2017 for the Rajasthan Royals, and since then, he has been part of the franchise. Though his numbers in his debut season were pretty impressive, apart from that, his numbers have declined in every edition. Riyan made 160 runs in seven innings at an average of 32, which is double his overall IPL career average of 16.22 in 54 games with 600 runs for RR.

He was part of all 17 games in 2022 when RR reached the final and scored only 183 runs at 16.64 and picked up one wicket. Despite that, the franchise retained him, which came as a surprise to many because they released the likes of Jason Holder, who had a pretty good performance. However, it didn't work out. Parag didn't get many chances and played only 7 games in 2023, scoring 78 runs at an average of 13. It resulted in him facing a lot of criticism on social media platforms.

Not just fans, but many former cricketers and well-known cricket pundits also made fun of him. However, the 22-year-old has opened up about the criticism he has faced in recent times. He also said that he expects all the hate he is getting because everyone wants him to perform, but he requested former cricketers advise him on what he could change rather than criticize him on social media.

In a video posted by Rajasthan featuring Riyan Parag, he said, "People pay their hard earned money to come watch us perform not play. So for us not performing, them hating. I totally understand. But I think former cricketers and commentators, when they are posting about this on social media and their taking out time to tweet about me. You can just text me. I would honestly love that." Parag also said that he was eagerly waiting for two games in the IPL 2023 against MI and RCB but didn't get a chance to play, which he was preparing for.

He said that he loves the challenge of playing against RCB and looks up to Virat Kohli. Parag also said that he doesn't post much on Instagram about cricket. He stated, "But it is mostly about my life. People don't understand it but then I have got no control over that. And that of times are there that's when the true character shoes and I had my character. I had my sanity throughout the tournament. I had patience. I went through it and saw a little bit of glimpses that I put all the hard work that I put in the last game. So I think it's a lot of learning." He concluded by saying that he bowls big like Ravichandran Ashwin, and he has helped him a lot in evolving as a bowler.