Riyan Parag Creates History, Becomes First Male Assamese Cricketer To Play For India

Posted by Admin July 7, 2024 Cricket

Updated Jul 7, 2024, 06:34 IST

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed it a historic day for the state. Notably, before Riyan Parag, Assam’s Uma Chetry represented India in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup and as a result, Riyan is only the first male cricketer to represent Assam in the Indian cricket team.

Riyan Parag Creates History, Becomes First Male Assamese Cricketer To Play For India (Photo credit: Twitter @BCCI)

India batter Riyan Parag on Saturday, June 6 created history to become the first male cricketer from Assam to play for the Indian national team. Not just to play for India, he is also the first ever Assamese cricketer to be named in an India squad. As a result, the expectations were high from, the India youngster to put up a great show in the first T20I against Zimbabwe.

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed it a historic day for the state. Notably, before Riyan, Assam’s Uma Chetry has represented the Indian women’s team at the ACC U-23 Asia Cup tournament last year but this is the first time that a male cricketer has had the privilege of donning the India cap.

Riyan made the cut for the Indian team after a stellar IPL 2024, where he was in top form and with most seniors resting after the T20 World Cup win, there were slots for several youngsters to fill.

“A son’s dream takes flight, and a father’s heart swells with pride! Riyan Parag, you’ve made Assam proud! And what makes it even more special is receiving his Cap from the person who inspired him the most – his father!,” Assam Cricket Association tweeted.

Riyan, who didn’t bowl in his first international game, although couldn’t impress with the bat, being caught out for 2 runs off 3 deliveries in the fifth over as India chased Zimbabwe’s score of 115 runs.

Zimbabwe pulled off an upset of huge proportions when they stunned the Indian side brimming with an array of Next-Gen stars by 13 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series in Harare.

Riyan, who was a part of the Indian Under-19 side that won the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup under Prithvi Shaw ‘s captaincy, was named in the Indian national team for the Zimbabwe tour in June.

Riyan will have a chance to redeem himself when India play Zimbabwe in the second T20I on Sunday, July 7 in Harare.