“Wasn’t Even In Going To Play IPL Right?”: RR Star’s Retort On T20 World Cup Snub

Courtesy of his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 show, Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Riyan Parag reportedly became an important candidate for India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Ahead of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s announcement, Parag’s name was discussed by many pundits as a possible all-round option in the middle-order. But, as the selection committee named the 15-member squad, as well as 4 reserves, there was no place for Parag. However, the Rajasthan Royals star admitted that he wasn’t even considering himself to be a serious part of that race.

Parag spoke to the media after Rajasthan’s defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday where the topic of his T20 World Cup snub came up. Giving a sharp reply to the question from a reporter, Parag sarcastically said that he wasn’t even a contender to play this IPL.

“Not really. Until last year, I was not even in contention to play in IPL right?”, he said when asked about the disappointment of failure to make India’s T20 World Cup squad.

The all-rounder from Assam even revealed that he has quit social media but had still come to know of the rumours around his potential T20 World Cup selection.

“So I have heard a few rumours. I am not on social media anymore. I heard few noises here and there but I am just glad they are taking my name for the right reasons now. I was not really thinking about anything. I am really happy for the boys in our team, Sanju bhaiya specially, getting the call-up. It is going to be great for our country and hopefully we bring the World Cup home,” he added.

Parag has emerged as one of the most consistent performers in this IPL, sitting a the 4th spot in the list of top-scoring batters. He has 409 runs in 10 matches to his name at an average of 58.43 and a strike-rate of 159.14.