"Take a reality check," Riyan Parag reveals Virat Kohli's message which helped him gain form

Overcoming trolls and staying true to himself is what kept Riyan Parag going.

In a remarkable comeback during the Deodhar Trophy 2023, Riyan Parag emerged as the shining star, securing the Player of the Series award. This young talent from Assam displayed extraordinary performances, scoring about 354 runs, hitting two centuries, and clinching 11 crucial wickets.

However, the road to success was not without its challenges. Enduring a difficult IPL season and facing the wrath of online trolls, Parag revealed how a timely message from his role model, Virat Kohli, ignited the fire within him to persist him to do well at this level.

“Mai puri baat nahi bata paunga (I cannot tell you the exact conversation). He told me ‘something that has worked for half a year cannot be wrong after a few failures. What happens in the IPL is that the tournament goes on so fast that after failing two games, you start to question yourself. Everyone makes mistakes and I have made tons of them. Two-three games don’t go your way and you feel (the need) to change your process and work ethic”, said Parag.

“It was him telling me that ‘take the reality check and accept that this is a bad phase but it doesn’t mean that you need to change the process that has been working for you’,” said the cricketer to Indian Express.

Following a forgettable IPL 2023 season where he struggled to find form, Parag’s journey to redemption seemed hindered. His performances with the Rajasthan Royals came under scrutiny, leading to harsh criticism on social media. Even during his outings with India A, he found himself facing low scores, further adding to the pressure he was under.

Assam cricketer Riyan Parag reacts to trolls

Reacting to the relentless online trolls and criticisms directed at him, Parag remained faithful in being true to himself. He refused to conform to the conventional “rulebook” of how cricketers should conduct themselves. Unapologetically expressing his individuality.

Parag mentioned, “People have a problem with me chewing gum. If my collar is up that’s a problem. I celebrate after taking a catch that’s a problem. They have a problem with me gaming and playing golf in my off time,” he said. “I have an idea why people hate me. There is a rulebook about how you should play cricket. The T-shirt should be tucked in, the collar should be down, give respect to everyone, don’t sledge anyone, and I am completely the opposite.”

Riyan Parag’s journey to reclaim his form and silencing the critics exemplifies the human side of sports. Like any other athlete, he faced moments of self-doubt and adversity. However, with the support and guidance of his cricketing idol, Virat Kohli, and his unwavering belief in staying true to himself.

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