[Exclusive] Last year, people were telling me I wasn't fit for IPL, now want me in Indian team: Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag slammed more than 500 runs in IPL 2024 for Rajasthan Royals.

Assam and Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Riyan Parag had a redeeming outing in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. RR reached the playoffs of the tournament and dominated the first half in April.

They had won eight out of their nine games, but had a slump in the last few matches, barely managing to qualify for the final four. RR then defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator match before losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.

The star for RR with the bat was Riyan Parag. The Assam batter, who had struggled a lot in the last three editions of the IPL. He scored 93 runs in 11 games in 2021, 183 runs in 17 games in 2022, when RR reached the final and 78 runs in seven games in the 2023 tournament.

There was talk of Riyan Parag being released ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, but the RR franchise decided to show faith in the youngster’s talent and Parag paid them back in style.

He scored 573 runs in 16 games with four fifties at a strike rate of 149.22 and an average of 52.09. His best score was 84* and he hit 40 fours as well as 33 sixes in IPL 2024.

Riyan Parag spoke with Khel Now in an exclusive chat where he was asked about various things and one of them was on his potential India call-up.

Parag said: “Last year people were telling me I wasn’t even fit to play the IPL. Now, they want me to play for the Indian team. So. that says a lot about what other people think and how important other people’s advice and opinions are.

“I think I’ve answered your question right there and then, that these people who say stuff don’t really matter. I know I’m going to play for the country one day or another. Whether it’s the next series, whether it’s the series in six months, whether it’s the series in one year. I’m not saying this being very arrogant, but this is me believing in myself and what I can do in the game.”

“I don’t really care”- Riyan Parag on social media criticism

Riyan Parag was trolled heavily in IPL 2023 when he could not produce the goods for his team and RR failed to qualify for the playoffs. Parag could barely hit the ball, as evident from his 118-strike rate. Also, he managed only four fours and five sixes.

Riyan Parag was asked during the interview how he deals with criticism online and on social media. He replied that there are only 5-6 people he trusts and only their reviews and help matter to him. He doesn’t care what anyone outside that group tells him.

“I think it matters down to what opinions matter to me. I have 5-6 close people in my entire life. Those people’s opinions affect me and what they say does really change and affect the way I perceive life. So, I think anything other than those five people I don’t really think about. Those people you love, people you know who will never criticize you, will always give you positive reinforcement to how you can improve whatever you do. I think everything other than those six people I don’t really care,” Parag added.

Parag’s name was heavily discussed for the T20 World Cup 2024 India squad, but it seems his time will come after the tournament when India tour Zimbabwe.

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