Riyan Parag - from school to the IPL

By Strike Eagle - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30650811

When the rest of his mates had their heads in a spin over maths, Riyan Parag was busy with spin of an entirely different kind. We’re used to seeing teenage prodigies breakthrough in India. This is the country that propelled Sachin Tendulkar to fame at just 16, and it always feels a little special whenever it happens.

There’s something special about Parag. You don’t play 13 first-class games, 24 List A games, and 24 T20 games before your 19th birthday by being an average cricketer.

His average of 30 and 33 in the shorter forms of the game is excellent, while his T20 economy of 6.89 is outstanding. Parag was the man Rajasthan Royals turned to when they were in a tricky situation, which speaks volumes about the journey this starlet has been on.

Ashwin John / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

Their reliance on him can be attributed to his fine range of skills. Not content with being a standard leg-spin bowler, Parag can also throw in the carrom, googly, and cutters. Spinners usually mature a lot later in life, and to see what his man is doing already speaks to a very bright future. If he can avoid the pitfalls of growing up and getting found out, India could have another fine prospect on their hands.

Parag doesn’t just bowl; he also bats. The youngster has got a full range of shots in his locker, and he wasn’t afraid to take the game to Lasith Malinga - one of the finest white-ball bowlers ever - while the ramp was used to stunning effect during his first-ever IPL 50.

He can bat, he can bowl. At just 18, the Rajasthan Royals have got a fine prospect on their hands, which they should hang on to at all costs. 2020 will be an incredibly exciting time for Parag, who will want to stay fresh and build on the successes of his first IPL tournament.

It’ll be more challenging as teams start to work him out, but that’s where his quality will shine through. The Royals came to depend on him during the final stages of last year, and now they’ll do so throughout the whole of this one.