‘Be top-scoring…’: Riyan Parag eyeing India comeback with stellar outings in Domestic circuit

Riyan Parag partaking in the Duleep Trophy was aimed with a goal to get some playing time on himself after he managed a shoulder injury, which he was pleased to achieve. Riyan’s batting and bowling abilities have faced consequences after the injury he faced in later phase of last year.

His injury from the last year even affected his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, and Riyan Parag did not play any cricket after the T20 league- until he led East Zone in the quarter-final of the Duleep Trophy 2025.

“The match felt good. I mean, that was the main goal when I came here to play the game. Performances, I didn’t really focus on it that much. I just wanted to have some fun. I haven’t played competitive cricket in a long time,” Parag told reporters.

“Since the IPL, I haven’t really played any cricket. IPL also, I was managing a lot of stress and stuff like that. But this was a good outing. Not in a good way with the amount of overs we fielded. But then still, rolled my arm for a few overs, batted for a while. I could have converted it for a bigger score, but I’m happy. The arm also feels much better,” he added.

Riyan Parag last represented India in a T20I against Bangladesh in October 2024. Now, he will have to wait till mid-October for another round of cricket through either the Ranji Trophy or might get recalled in the national side during the team’s white-ball series against Australia.

“I think it’s back to basics now. I took a break for the shoulder and stuff like that happened. Ranji is coming in, then the Australia tour is coming in (in October). If I get selected there, I do that. Otherwise, I will go back to domestic cricket and do what I’ve been doing for the last 2-3 years. Be top-scoring every single game, and have a good IPL and play for the country again,” said Parag.