Riyan Parag: 'My belief, or overconfidence, I can play both white-ball formats for India'

India all-rounder Riyan Parag (BCCI Photo)

All-rounder Riyan Parag, who hasn't played for India in over a year, expressed he can play both white-ball formats. The Assam cricketer added that it is because of the shoulder injury he isn't part of the national setup. Riyan's only ODI appearance was against Sri Lanka in August 2024, and he last played a T20I the same year, which was at home against Bangladesh in October.

“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 was quoted as saying to reporters by Sportstar.

Also Read | 'Hence he won’t fit the bill': Ashwin delivers his verdict on Riyan Parag as 'STOP doing the PR' creates storm

He made the comment after leading Assam to a 58-run win over Vidarbha in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. If we look further Riyan has guided Assam to two victories in five games, but hasn't bowled in the competition yet and has had a tough time with the bat, amassing just 39 runs at an average of 7.80 in five innings. Riyan, however, isn't overly worried about his current downturn.

“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.

Furthermore, he believes that a successful domestic T20 season is not a reliable indicator of form or readiness for the IPL. “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.

Riyan had a breakthrough season in 2024, scoring 573 runs at an average of over 50 and a strike rate of 149.21, after appearing completely lost in his first five IPL seasons for Rajasthan Royals. He returned the franchise's long-standing faith in him with another respectable show in IPL 2025, scoring 393 runs with a strike rate of 166.52.