Riyan

Parag

Riyan Parag Biography and Career

Riyan Parag, an all-rounder, who is known for his explosive batting style and versatile bowling. A right-handed middle-order batter and right-arm leg-spinner who also occasionally bowls off-spin, Parag has emerged as a rising star in Indian cricket. Born on November 10, 2001, in Guwahati, Assam, Parag is the first player from Northeast India and Assam to play for the Indian men's cricket team.

Parag’s cricketing journey began early, rooted in a sporting family. His father is a former first-class cricketer who has represented Assam, Railways and East Zone cricket teams, and his mother is a former national record-holding swimmer.

At the age of 12, he joined Assam's under-16 team and at the age of 15, he made his T20 debut for Assam in the 2016–17 Inter-State Twenty20 Tournament. His first-class debut came in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy, making him India's first first-class cricketer born in the 21st century.

Parag's breakthrough came in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, where he contributed to India's victory despite a finger injury. In 2019, Rajasthan Royals (RR) signed him for Rs 20 lakh, and at the age of 17 years and 175 days, he became the youngest player to hit a half-century in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He scored 50 off 49 balls against Delhi Capitals (DC).

Parag was also the leading run-scorer for Assam in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, with 248 runs in seven games. Not just that, in the 2022–23 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was the leading run-scorer for Assam and the fifth-highest run-scorer among all sides in the season, scoring 552 runs at an average of 69 with three centuries and a half-century.

The 2023-24 season was Parag's best year, which transformed him from a criticised player to a consistent performer. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he topped the run charts with 510 runs at an average of 85 and a strike rate of 182.79. In that season, he hit 40 sixes and became the highest six-hitter. He also became the first cricketer to score seven consecutive half-centuries in T20 cricket, in that season.

In the 2023 Deodhar Trophy, he was named Player of the Series for scoring the most runs, hitting the most sixes and taking the third most wickets in the tournament. He scored a total of 354 runs in the tournament at a batting average of 88.50 and took 11 wickets at a bowling average of 19.09. Parag also holds the record for hitting the second-fastest century in the history of the Ranji Trophy. He scored the century in just 56 balls.

For his performance, he was given the Lala Amarnath best all-rounder award for the domestic season 2022-23 by the BCCI. 

He had an impressive season in IPL 2024, scoring 573 runs for the Rajasthan Royals to become the third-highest run-scorer. He scored the runs at a strike rate of 149.22 and smashed four half-centuries in that season. He recorded the highest runs scored by any uncapped player in the 2024 IPL season. Parag also became the first player to score more than 550 runs in a season while batting at number four.

This form earned him T20I and ODI debuts for India against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, respectively, in 2024. Retained by the Royals for Rs 14 crore in IPL 2025, Parag also set a record by hitting six sixes in a row against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Parag notched up career-best bowling figures of 3 wickets, conceding 5 runs in a T20I game against Sri Lanka in 2024. He was a member of the batting lineup that posted the highest-ever score by an Indian team in T20 Internationals, making 297 for 6 in 20 overs. He made a notable contribution by scoring 34 runs off just 13 balls, which included four sixes and a four.

On his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in the same year, he took three wickets and gave 54 runs.

Over the last few years, Parag has evolved from an inconsistent talent to a mature player, refining his shot selection and mental toughness. His early IPL struggles drew criticism, but his domestic dominance in 2023-24 silenced the doubters. Parag's journey reflects growth, grit and a commitment to Assamese heritage, making him a fan favourite and an important figure in the future of Indian cricket.

Beyond Cricket

Off the field, Riyan Parag is a vibrant personality with diverse interests. An avid gamer, he often shares his gaming sessions on social media, connecting with fans through platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Rooter and X, where he posts about cricket, gaming and Assamese culture. His love for video games, especially Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Valorant, has made him popular among the young audience. Parag mentioned that gaming has helped him in cricket. He said CS:GO has improved his concentration because it is such a high-voltage game, which helped him in cricket.

Hailing from a sporting family, with father Parag Das and mother Mithu Baruah, lives a simple lifestyle despite his estimated net worth of around Rs 20 crore in 2024, which has grown from his IPL retention and endorsements with brands like Red Bull Roots, Puma, Star Cement, Royal Global University, Dream11 and Sareen Sports. He loves to travel and leads a simple personal life, focusing on fitness and family.

Riyan Parag Records
Riyan Parag ODI Records:

• Riyan Parag made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on August 7, 2024. He has played 1 ODI match. He has taken 3 wickets in ODIs, with his best figures being 3/54.

Riyan Parag T20I Records:

• He has played 9 T20I matches and scored 106 runs in T20Is at a strike rate of 151.42. He has taken 4 wickets in T20Is, with his best figures being 3/5 against Sri Lanka.

Riyan Parag IPL Records:

• He has smashed 86 sixes in the Indian Premier League.
• In IPL 2022, Riyan Parag led the way with 17 catches, making him the player with the most catches in the tournament. 
• He became the youngest player to score an IPL fifty at 17 years and 175 days against Delhi Capitals in 2019.
• He was the first batter to hit six consecutive sixes in an IPL match, achieved against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025.
• He finished as the third-highest run-getter in IPL 2024 with 573 runs, including 33 sixes.

Riyan Parag Other Formats:

• He scored the second-fastest Ranji Trophy century off 56 balls against Chhattisgarh in the 2023–24 season.
• He hit the most sixes (20) in the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy elite category.
• He was the leading run-scorer for Assam in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy with 248 runs.
• He topped the run charts for Assam in the 2022–23 Vijay Hazare Trophy with 552 runs at an average of 69, including 3 centuries.
• He hit the most sixes (11) in a single Deodhar Trophy innings against North Zone in 2023.
• He was the highest run-getter in the 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 510 runs at an average of 85 and a strike rate of 182.79.
• He became the first cricketer to score seven consecutive T20 half-centuries in the 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
• He hit the most sixes (40) in the 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.