Parag won the Player of the Tournament award while playing for East Zone in Deodhar Trophy.
While his team East Zone failed to cross the final hurdle, Parag won the Player of the Tournament award. He finished the List A tournament as the highest run-getter, the player with the most sixes, and the third-highest wicket-taker.
In five innings, Parag amassed 354 runs with two hundreds and also a knock of 95 in the summit clash. He also picked up 11 wickets in the tournament, including two four-wicket hauls.
The 21-year-old produced this brilliance nearly two months after his poor show in the IPL 2023 season, where he scored 78 runs from seven matches at an average of 13 and was dropped from the Rajasthan Royals playing XI as well.
After his Deodhar Trophy heroics, Riyan Parag interacted with The Indian Express and opened up on a range of topics, including the trolling and criticism he faces on social media.
The Assam lad feels people tend to have a problem with his way of doing things.
“People have a problem with me chewing gum. If my collar is up that’s a problem. I celebrate after taking a catch that’s a problem. They have a problem with me gaming and playing golf in my off time," Parag said.
“I have an idea why people hate me. There is a rulebook about how you should play cricket. The T-shirt should be tucked in, the collar should be down, give respect to everyone, don’t sledge anyone, and I am completely the opposite," he added.
Parag further said he plays cricket to enjoy and have fun while also insisting that the detractors hate to see him perform at the top level.
“I started playing cricket because it is fun and I am still playing cricket for the fun part. People can’t digest that I am playing on such a big level, and I am enjoying it. People think I am not grateful," he remarked.