New Delhi: Riyan Parag is fit to play after surgery on his shoulder and will take to the field in the seventh round of Ranji Trophy matches that begins from January 30. He will lead Assam in their final league phase game against hosts Saurashtra in Rajkot.
The 23-year-old has been on the sidelines since October of last year after picking up the injury in India’s third T20I against Bangladesh for which he had to undergo operation.
As he was undergoing rehabilitation, he was not considered for India’s T20I series in South Africa and the ongoing five-match series against England and was excluded from the squad for the Champions Trophy as well.
The Ranji outing will give him game time for him to be called u as back-up to the squad for Champions Trophy, which begins in Pakistan on February 19. India will play all their matches in Dubai after refusing to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns.
Right hand batter Parag had scored 378 runs in six innings at an average of 75.60 and strike rate of 113.85 in the previous Ranji Trophy season, hitting a tournament high 20 sixes.
Winless Assam languish at the bottom of the Elite Goup D points table, having lost twice and drawing four times in six outings. Though they are out of contention for the knockouts, Parag’s presence can boost them in search of their first win.
Their opponents Saurashtra remain in the hunt to qualify for the next round.
Retained by Rajasthan Royals
Parag was retained by Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League mega auction for its 2025 edition. The Jaipur team has invested in him over the years and he has gradually developed into an aggressive batter and a handy slow bowler.
Rajasthan will bank on him when they begin their IPL 2025 campaign in March under the leadership of Sanju Samson.
The Assam squad
Riyan Parag (capt), Denish Das (vice-capt), Mukhtar Hussain, Mrinmoy Dutta, Rahul Singh, Dipjyoti Saikia, Parvez Musaraf, Sumit Ghadigaonkar (wk), Rishav Das, Anurag Talukdar (wk), Avinav Choudhury, Sibsankar Roy, Akash Sengupta, Pradyun Saikia, Amlanjyoti Das
Riyan Parag has been on the sidelines since October of last year after picking up a shoulder injury in India’s third T20I against Bangladesh for which he had to undergo operation. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
