Riyan Parag debuts as first Assam cricketer in national team
Guwahati, Jul 6: All-rounder Riyan Parag became the first cricketer from Assam to play for the national team at the senior level as he made his debut against Zimbabwe in a T-20 tie at Harare on Saturday.
“A son's dream takes flight, and a father's heart swells with pride! Riyan Parag, you've made Assam proud! And what makes it even more special is receiving his Cap from the person who inspired him the most - his father!,” Assam Cricket Association posted on X, congratulating the young player.
Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed it a historic day for the state.
“Our very own @ParagRiyan makes his debut in the Indian Cricket Team as he plays his first T20I match for #TeamIndia against Zimbabwe at Harare,” he wrote on the micro-blogging site.
“#RiyanParag becomes the first Assamese male cricketer to play for India. Proud moment; may be reach the pinnacle of sporting glory,” the former Assam CM added.
The 22-year-old, who did not bowl in his first international match, failed to impress with the bat, being caught out for 2 runs off 3 balls in the fifth over as India chased Zimbabwe’s score of 115 runs.
Zimbabwe pulled off an upset of massive proportions when they stunned the Indian team brimming with an array of Next-Gen stars by 13 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series here on Saturday.
Riyan, who was a part of the Indian Under-19 team that won the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, was named in the Indian national squad for the Zimbabwe tour last month.
He has been representing Assam in domestic cricket since 2017 and has been a member of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League since 2018.
Another cricketer from the state, Uma Chetry, had been earlier named in the Indian women's team but is yet to make her international debut.
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BJP questions Congress over not nominating Tharoor for delegation on Operation Sindoor
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Saturday questioned the Congress' choice of leaders for diplomatic outreach delegations abroad for conveying India's message following Operation Sindoor, wondering if it did not nominate party MP Shashi Tharoor because he outshone the high command.
The government nominated Tharoor, who serves as chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, to lead one of the seven multi-party delegations abroad for putting across India's stand against Pakistan for supporting terrorism.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said it nominated former Union minister Anand Sharma, the party's Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain and Lok Sabha MP Raja Brar after the government asked for names of four MPs.
Reacting to Ramesh's statement, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said in a post on X, "No one can deny Shashi Tharoor's eloquence, his long experience as a United Nations official, and his deep insights on matters of foreign policy."
"So why has the Congress Party -- and Rahul Gandhi in particular -- chosen not to nominate him for the multi-party delegations being sent abroad to explain India's position on key issues?" he said.
"Is it insecurity? Jealousy? Or simply intolerance of anyone who outshines the 'high command'?" he added.
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, "So, Jairam Ramesh opposes his own Congressman Shashi Tharoor for being chosen to lead one of the Parliamentary delegation."
"Why does Rahul Gandhi hate every individual who speaks for India, even in his own party?" Bhandari asked.
In another post on X, Malviya alleged the Congress' choices to represent India were not just "intriguing" but "deeply questionable".
"Take, for instance, the inclusion of Syed Naseer Hussain in a delegation representing India. It is truly shocking. Let's not forget it was his supporter who raised "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans inside the Vidhana Soudha while celebrating his Rajya Sabha victory," the BJP leader said.
The Bengaluru Police arrested three individuals in connection with the incident, based on a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, circumstantial evidence, and witness testimonies, he added.
"The less said about Gaurav Gogoi, the better. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Gogoi of spending 15 days in Pakistan, stating that his arrival and departure were officially recorded at the Atari border," Malviya said.
Referring to other allegations that the Assam chief minister has leveled against Gogoi and his wife, the BJP leader asked, "How can MPs facing such grave allegations be trusted to represent India, particularly on matters involving Pakistan?"
"What message is the Congress trying to send, and whose interests are really being served?" Malviya added.
No one can deny Shashi Tharoor’s eloquence, his long experience as a United Nations official, and his deep insights on matters of foreign policy.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 17, 2025
So why has the Congress Party — and Rahul Gandhi in particular — chosen not to nominate him for the multi-party delegations being…
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