[Watch] 'Coming from Assam...' Riyan Parag's emotional speech ahead of ODI debut vs Sri Lanka

Riyan Parag received his maiden ODI cap from Virat Kohli ahead of the third ODI vs Sri Lanka on August 7.

On August 7, middle-order batter Riyan Parag was handed his maiden ODI cap ahead of the final match of the three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Parag, who also bowls effective off-spin, replaced pacer Arshdeep Singh for this encounter, which is a must-win game for India to avoid a series loss.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Parag had a stellar run with the bat while playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR). The youngster slammed 573 runs in 15 matches at a stunning average of 52.09. The 22-year-old hit four half-centuries during the 2024 season.

After having a stellar run with the bat in IPL 2024, Parag made his T20I debut for India in the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in July. After the conclusion of the Zimbabwe series, the Assam cricketer was selected for the ongoing white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.

In the three-match T20I series, Parag scored 33 runs and picked up three wickets.

That’s something we’ve accomplished: Riyan Parag ahead of ODI debut

The 22-year-old Riyan Parag was handed his ODI debut cap by the former India captain Virat Kohli ahead of the third ODI against Sri Lanka on Wednesday in Colombo.

After toss, when Parag’s selection in the playing XI was confirmed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) uploaded a heartwarming video in which, Parag was seen giving a speech after being told of his debut.

The Assam cricketer said that it was impossible for a kid like him to come from Assam and play with some of the great Indian cricketers. Parag further revealed that his family’s main motto was to see play for the Indian team.

“Coming from Assam, it was a termed impossible, too far-fetched for a kid to come here and play with players like you; players I’ve watched when I was growing up, idolized when I was growing up. So that was the motto when I started. But then me and my dad made it a mission. And me, my dad and my mom, that we were going to make it here. And once we do, then we will be like, okay, that’s something we’ve accomplished. And it happened in the T20s,” he said.

The 22-year-old added that as soon as he told his parents about his ODI call-up, they got emotional and started crying.

“Now this was even more emotional for me because I actually saw people who I watched growing up, where I’d be. And then now actually being here, practicing, going inside, sharing the same hotel, being in the same rooms, you know, all of this just feels very surreal. And I called my mom when I first got this. And mom and dad were in the video call with me that I got in the ODI call-up. And everyone was crying, but then it was just a very emotional experience that I had and felt really surreal to be here and be with you guys just feels amazing. So thank you so much,”

The first match between Sri Lanka and India was tied and the hosts won the second fixture by 32 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat first in the third ODI.

Both teams playing XI for third ODI:

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando

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