Riyan Parag became the first cricketer from Assam to play in an ODI for India, as he made his debut in the third match of the series against Sri Lanka on August 7, 2024. India is trailing the series 0-1 and needs to win this match to avoid a series loss.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to bat first. India made two changes as KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh were omitted and instead, Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag were added to the India XI.
Ahead of the game, the BCCI shared a video in which Riyan Parag got candid about his emotions after learning that he would be making his ODI debut in the final game of the series.
"Coming from Assam, it was a term ‘impossible,’ too far-fetched for a kid to come here and play with players like you (by looking at Rohit Sharma). Players I have watched when I was growing up, idealized when I was growing up. So, that was the motto when I started but then me and my dad and mom made a mission that we were gonna make it here. Once we do, then we will be like okay that is something we have accomplished. It had happened in the T20Is.
Now, this was even more emotional for me because I actually saw people who I watched growing up Rohit bhai, Virat bhaiya, and now actually been here practicing, going inside, sharing the same hotel, being in the same room, all of this feels just very surreal. I called my mom when I first got this and mom-dad were on a video call with me when I got the ODI call up. Everyone was crying, it was a very emotional experience that I had and felt very surreal to be here, and to be with you guys feels amazing,” Parag said in a video shared by BCCI.
Riyan Parag received his ODI debut cap from legend Virat Kohli, who had some encouraging words to say as well to the youngster.
“Riyan, firstly, congratulations on getting to play your first game for India. In today's cricket, we all know apart from performances, people who are responsible for you guys getting selected, they're watching you and they see something special in you. And having spoken to Gigi Bhai, Rohit, selectors, everyone, they see something special in you.
You have the ability to become a match-winner for India. I know you have that belief. I've known you for a while now. And we all have that belief in you. And no better time to step in today, 1-0 down, to start off your international career with an impactful presence on the field, ball, bat, and fielding as well. I wish you all the best. Cap 256, Riyan Parag,” Kohli said.
India XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
Sri Lanka XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando.
