Riyan Parag receives India cap from his father in emotional debut

Riyan Parag experienced a dream come true on the cricket field as he received his debut India cap from his father, Parag Das, just before the start of the first T20I match in the five-match series against Zimbabwe in Harare. This heartwarming moment marked a significant milestone for the Parag family and made Riyan the first cricketer from Assam to represent India at the international level.

Parag Das, who played 43 first-class matches and 32 List-A games for Assam, had the honor of presenting his son with the coveted blue cap. The touching embrace that followed between father and son captured the joy and pride of the special occasion.

Riyan Parag's rise in cricket has been impressive and steady. He first made a name for himself in the 2018 U-19 World Cup and has since grown through the ranks of Indian cricket. His performance with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2019 has been crucial in sharpening his skills.

In the 2024 IPL season, Riyan Parag was in excellent form, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer with 573 runs at a strike rate of 149.22. His domestic cricket achievements include scoring 510 runs at a strike rate of 182.79 and taking 11 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. His consistent performances in the Deodhar Trophy and Ranji Trophy further showcased his talent with both bat and ball.

Riyan's debut wasn't the only highlight for the Indian team. Dhruv Jurel and Abhishek Sharma also received their first India caps in the same match, with Shubman Gill leading the team as the new captain. India won the toss and chose to bowl first. The playing XI included three fast bowlers: Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar, along with spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar.