Going into the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, India was expected to field Washington Sundar as the third all-rounder, alongside Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. Sundar had been the player of the series against Zimbabwe just a few days prior. However, Gautam Gambhir, in his debut series as the national head coach, had other plans. He opted for the part-time spin of Riyan Parag as his sixth bowling option. This decision has proven to be fruitful, as Parag has effectively utilized his bag of variations against Sri Lanka. He claimed three wickets in the first T20I and bowled an economical four-over spell in the second, helping India secure the series on Sunday.
Parag’s ability to spin the ball away from both left and right-handed batters with his assortment of sliders and cutters has been a key factor in his success. In the first game, he rattled the stumps thrice late in the game with some fired-in deliveries, contributing to India’s easy victory. In the second game, skipper Suryakumar Yadav entrusted him with a full four-over quota. Parag responded by varying his pace and length effectively, managing to beat the outside edge of both left and right-handers multiple times. Despite Kamindu Mendis hitting him for four fours, the Indian spinner conceded just 30 runs in his spell. Parag’s defensive bowling forced the Lankan batters to take risks against the other Indian spinners, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi, who picked up two and three wickets respectively.
Despite only getting to bat once in the series – in the first T20I, when he was dismissed for a six-ball seven – Parag’s contributions with the ball have ensured he’s not a disappointed man. For anyone who follows Indian domestic cricket, Parag’s bowling prowess should come as no surprise. The 22-year-old is a regular presence with the ball for Assam across formats. He has taken more wickets (34) for the state in T20s than anyone else in the last five years, while maintaining an impressive economy rate of just 6.44 runs per over. Parag was also a consistent part-time option for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, until the arrival of the Impact Player rule in 2023. Since then, he has bowled just three overs across two seasons (Parag bowled 26.1 overs in the four seasons before 2023).
“I think domestic was always good for the last three, four years, but I was not able to convert it in the IPL. I did a lot of groundwork at the RR academy and the IPL went well and I’m here. Everyone thought it was unimaginable and impossible to make it from Assam, but it is a surreal feeling,” said Parag ahead of the second T20I. Gambhir, in his mentorship spells with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Kolkata Knight Riders, has favored batters who can contribute with the ball. At LSG, he had an array of all-rounders such as Marcus Stoinis, Kyle Mayers, and Krunal Pandya, who could fit in across the batting order. At KKR, Gambhir had the likes of Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, and Andre Russell, who formed a powerful lineup that helped the team win the IPL title this season.
Parag’s impressive bowling performance in this series, coupled with his ability to bat across the middle order, bode well for the youngster as India focuses on building a stable lineup with an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup. The opportunity to consistently wear the Indian colors is not something Parag takes lightly. “Feels great. I’ve always been dreaming about this – if not being a permanent member, a consistent player. Surya has been very supportive and has given me the freedom. Once that comes from the coach and captain…that has given me the freedom to go out and express myself,” added Parag.
