Why Was Riyan Parag Picked For Sri Lanka Tour Instead Of Other Top Batsman? Here are Top Reasons

Suryakumar Yadav's appointment as India's T20I captain was one of the most talked-about appointments in the squads for the Sri Lanka tour. Despite Hardik Pandya serving as India's vice-captain at the T20 World Cup last month, Suryakumar was chosen to captain the team. the all-rounder was supposed to be elevated to captaincy following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the configuration after the competition win.

Riyan Parag and Tilak Verma Selected In Sri Lanka Tour

The decision to give Riyan Parag his first ODI call-up was another significant one in the squad selection process. The Assam batsman made his India debut earlier this month during the team's tour of Zimbabwe. Despite a quiet series in which he batted twice in five matches, Parag remained in the team for the T20Is. The fact that the two top Zimbabwean actors, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma, were left out of the decision sparked debate.

Why was Riyan Parag Selected In the Team?

Now, a Times of India report explains why Parag might have been selected for the national team again. According to the report, the batter's selection was helped by the injury of Tilak Varma, another young player who made his India debut last year. Tilak has been one of Mumbai Indians' consistent performers for the past three years, playing alongside Suryakumar Yadav in the Indian Premier League.

Edge Over Other Players

"Riyan Parag is exceptionally gifted and has worked on his disposition towards the game by a few indents. Now, he wants to remain at the wicket. To add to his worth, he can bowl sufficiently and is definitely a spectacular defender. According to the source, "The selectors want to nurture him for the future."

“He can bowl yorkers, slower balls, and employ other variations at the death. That makes him a good option in white-ball cricket,” the source added.

India Vs Sri Lanka Series

The first T20I of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka happens on Friday, which will likewise check the start of Gautam Gambir's stretch as the side's lead trainer. India's two batting stalwarts - Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma - will join the camp in front of the ODI series in the island country, which likewise includes three matches.