Riyan Parag: Can play both white-ball formats for India, didn’t do anything wrong

All-rounder Riyan Parag, who last played for India over a year ago, believes he isn’t part of the national setup currently because of a shoulder injury.

Riyan last played a T20I in October last year, at home against Bangladesh, while his solitary ODI appearance came against Sri Lanka in August 2024. Though there was a possibility of the 24-year-old being picked for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, beginning December 9, Riyan was eventually not considered.

“I felt I was pretty decent [for India]. This is my belief, or overconfidence; you can say whatever you want. But I know that because my shoulder was injured, I am currently not playing for India. Otherwise, I think I can play both white-ball formats [for India]. Whenever I am fully fit, you will see me in India colours again,” Riyan told Sportstar after leading Assam to a 58-run win over Vidarbha in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Though Assam has managed to eke out two wins in five matches under Riyan’s leadership, the captain has had a forgettable time with the bat, scoring just 39 runs in five innings at an average of 7.80, and hasn’t bowled yet in the competition. However, Riyan isn’t too concerned about his recent slump.

“I have been through these phases too many times. In domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), there have been three to four years where I have had to struggle a lot. I am also returning from an injury, so I have to be mindful about that,” Riyan said.

Moreover, he doesn’t think a prolific season in the domestic T20 competition is an accurate yardstick of form or preparation ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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“I had two SMAT seasons where I scored at an average of 45-50 in seven matches, and then couldn’t score 70 runs in the IPL in 14 matches. I have cried in the bathroom because I wasn’t scoring runs. I have wondered whether I should practise or not practise at all, or whether I should go on a vacation.

“This [Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy] is all for muscle memory. If I score runs, then it is very good. If I don’t score, it is not like I won’t score in the IPL. Because it has happened that after scoring here, I have not scored there,” he added.

After looking all at sea in his first five seasons of the IPL, Riyan had a breakout 2024, where he scored 573 runs at an average of over 50 and a strike rate of 149.21. He followed it up with another decent IPL 2025, with 393 runs at a strike rate of 166.52, and repaid the faith the franchise had shown in him all these years.

With Rajasthan Royals trading skipper Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings ahead of next year’s IPL, Riyan, who led the franchise in eight matches owing to Samson’s injury last season, is a strong candidate for full-time captaincy. Though Riyan is ready for the added responsibility, he says he isn’t dwelling too much on it.

“I captained in seven to eight matches in the IPL last season. In the dressing room, when we would analyse decisions, I have done things right 80 to 85 per cent.

“Manoj [Badale] sir has said the decision [on captaincy] will be taken after the auction. If I think about that now, I will ruin my mental space. If the team management feels I am the right fit for captaincy, I am ready to put my hand up. If they feel that, as a player, I can contribute more, I am ready for that also,” Riyan said, while also acknowledging the off-the-field challenges of leadership.

“Everyone has the misconception that captaincy is easy. Yes, there is an element of fame in captaincy, but it reduces the element of cricket to 20 per cent. You have to attend all the meetings, attend sponsor shoots, and answer the media. I need to develop these things as a person,” Riyan revealed.

As he prepares for a new role in Rajasthan Royals, where he will be part of the senior leadership group, Riyan admitted he will miss Samson, who has been pivotal to his IPL journey ever since he joined the franchise as an 18-year-old.

“I don’t want to think about his [Samson’s] absence, because then I will feel bad. I was very close to Sanju bhaiya when I came into the team. He never let me feel that I was a 17 or 18-year-old boy from Assam. He also came from that background, at 16-18, and helped me the way he would have been helped at that time. In the last two years, he would give me vice-captaincy in Jos bhai’s absence. He would ask me to talk to the bowlers and attend team meetings, and take the lead,” Riyan said.

Published on Dec 05, 2025