Riyan Parag Getting His Due Share, Good Signs Small States Contributing Players to Indian Team: Arshad Ayub – News18

Riyan Parag on Monday became the first male player from the northeast to get a call-up for the Indian cricket team. Parag is part of India’s 18-man squad that will travel to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series next month,

Speaking to News18, former India cricketer Arshad Ayub says Parag has been rewarded for his domestic form and is happy to see a host of youngsters getting a chance to represent the country.

Also Read: Meet The 5 Players Who Received Maiden India T20I Call-ups

As many as five players including Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel and Tushar Deshpande have been received maiden call-ups. The oldest member in the squad is 30-year-old Mukesh Kumar with Nitish at 21 being the youngest.

“It’s good to see that so many young players are getting the chance to play for India and especially Parag because he has been doing really well for the last two years in IPL and he’s getting his due share,” Ayub told News18.

Ayub, who represented India in 13 Tests and 32 ODIs between 1987 and 1990, pointed out how even the smaller states are producing players capable of playing international cricket,

“He’s (Parag) probably the first player to play from the Northeast which is a good sign because now even the small states are contributing their players to Indian team. So I think this is a great opportunity for him to prove himself on international level,” he said.

“I would like to say all the best to all the youngsters who will be getting a chance to play against Zimbabwe,” he added.

In a clip shared by Parag’s IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, the 22-year-old said his goal was always to play for India.

“It’s emotional, it’s humbling, it’s overwhelming. I started playing cricket having just one goal which was to play for India,” Parag said.

Parag had a breakout season for RR in IPL where he scored 573 runs to finish as the third-highest run-getter after Virat Kohli (741) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (583).

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