Riyan Parag IPL Factfile: From Struggles to Success

Riyan Parag, an Under-19 World Cup winner in 2018, had a challenging start in the IPL but has found success in recent seasons. Rajasthan Royals (RR) signed him ahead of the 2019 season for INR 20 lakh, and he quickly made history as the youngest IPL half-centurion at just 17 years and 175 days. However, his initial years with RR were underwhelming as he struggled to establish himself in the role of finisher.

Early IPL Career with Rajasthan Royals

Despite his early setbacks, Rajasthan Royals retained Parag for INR 3.8 crore ahead of IPL 2022. However, his performance that season—183 runs in 14 innings at an average of 16.64—was disappointing. Nonetheless, RR continued to back the young talent, recognizing his potential as a future star.

Breakthrough in the 2023-24 Domestic Season

In the 2023-24 Indian domestic season, Parag turned a corner. He hit an impressive 510 runs at a strike rate of 182.79 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s for Assam, including seven back-to-back half-centuries. He also topped the six-hitting charts at the Deodhar Trophy. His remarkable form continued into IPL 2024, where he became RR’s highest run-scorer, finishing with 573 runs, including four half-centuries and 33 sixes—the most by any RR batter that season.

International Debuts and IPL Success

Parag’s breakthrough performances in 2024 earned him T20I and ODI debuts for India. Rajasthan Royals, confident in his growth, retained him for INR 14 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Player Profile: A Rising Star

Parag, a batting all-rounder from Assam, caught attention during India’s 2017 tour of England. He played alongside future stars like Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, scoring three fifties in four innings in the four-day matches. Parag was part of India’s victorious Under-19 World Cup squad in 2018, although he only contributed 17 runs in two innings. Nevertheless, he was known for his all-round ability, picking up three wickets during the tournament.

After being bought by RR in IPL 2019, Parag struggled but came back stronger in the following years. His consistency in domestic cricket eventually led to his IPL success, earning him recognition and national selection. Now, he is considered one of the brightest young prospects in Indian cricket, with a promising future in both domestic and international cricket.

Conclusion

Riyan Parag’s IPL journey has been full of ups and downs. However, his perseverance and strong performances in domestic cricket helped him reach his potential. As a key player for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, Parag is ready to make a lasting impact and continue his rise i