"Rohit and Gambhir see something special in you.." Virat Kohli's special message to Riyan Parag while handing him maiden ODI cap

Virat Kohli feels Riyan Parag can become a match-winner for India.

Veteran cricketer Virat Kohli handed maiden ODI cap to 22-year-old Riyan Parag, who made his ODI debut in the last match of the three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The youngster replaced left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI for the must-win encounter against Sri Lanka on August 7.

Parag had a sensational run with the bat in the Indian Premier League 2024. After this, the youngster made his T20I debut for the national side during the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The dream year for Parag continued as the all-rounder made his ODI debut on Wednesday.

Parag’s memorable occasion got even more special as he was handed the prestigious ODI cap from none other than his idol – Virat Kohli.

They see something special in you: Virat Kohli tells Parag

Senior batter Virat Kohli came up with a special message for Parag before handing the Assam cricketer his maiden ODI cap. Kohli said that the head coach, the captain and the selectors, all of them see him as a special cricketer.

“Riyan firstly, congratulations for getting to play your first game for India. In today’s cricket, we all know apart from performances, people who are responsible for you guys getting selected are watching you, and they see something special in you,” Kohli said.

While congratulating the Assam-born cricketer, Kohli further said that head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma believe that he can become a match-winner for India.

“And having spoken to GG Bhai, Rohit, selectors, everyone, they see something special in you. You have that ability to become a match-winner for India. I know you have that belief,” Kohli added.

“I have known you for a while now. And we all have that belief in you. And no better time to step in today, one nil down, to start your international career with an impactful presence on the field, ball back, and fielding as well. I wish you all the best. Cap 252 Riyan Parag,” the former skipper concluded.

Both teams’ playing XI for the 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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