4 reasons why leaving Riyan Parag out from India’s T20 World Cup squad is a mistake

The star RR batter Riyan Parag has impressed everyone with his brilliant performances so far in the ongoing IPL 2024. He is currently the leading run-scorer for RR in the current edition of the tournament. However, in an unfortunate turnaround of events for the young batter, he wasn’t picked in the men’s squad of India for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, in the USA and West Indies starting next month.

Having said that, here we’ll have a look at the 3 reasons why leaving Riyan Parag out of the T20 World Cup squad is a mistake by the selectors of the national men’s team.

Here’s a look at 4 reasons why leaving Riyan Parag from the India squad is a mistake:

Consistent Performance and an under-pressure knock against RCB in Eliminator

The 22-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers with the bat for RR in the ongoing 17th edition of the Indian Premier League. He has scored 567 runs in 13 innings in the 15 matches he has played so far for his side in the tournament, with a brilliant average of 54.70 and a strike rate of 151.60, hitting 4 half-centuries.

Besides, he also played a pivotal role in RR’s win against RCB in the all-important and must-win Eliminator game of IPL 2024. Parag played a crucial and under-pressure knock of 36 runs off 26 balls, with 2 fours and 2 sixes with the bat. So, he could’ve been a vital cog in the wheel for India during the crucial matches in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Could’ve been a good backup option in the squad for the ‘anchor role in the middle-order

Considering the way Riyan Parag has handled the crucial situations for RR in the ongoing IPL 2024 so far, he has emerged as an amazing option for the ‘anchor role’ in the middle phase of the innings, especially during the phase of 7-15 overs.

His importance in the middle overs (7-15 overs) can be understood by the fact that he is the leading run-scorer in the current season among all batters while batting during 7-15 overs. Parag has faced 376 runs in 13 innings, after playing 258 balls, including 9 not-outs in this phase. He also has an unbelievable average of 94.00 while batting in the middle overs, with a strike rate of 145.74, hitting 2 half-centuries, with 22 fours and 21 sixes.

A good fielding option

Besides his amazing batting performances in the tournament so far, Parag has also been very effective for RR as a fielder in the tournament. He has taken 7 catches and executed some of the unbelievable fielding efforts during the tournament so far.

So, his fielding prowess could’ve been a great asset for the men in blue in the upcoming prestigious cricket biennial, starting next month in the USA and West Indies. India might be there in situations during the World Cup where the fielding efforts will matter a lot in deciding the direction of the match.

Lesser Fitness issues considering his young age

Age plays a vital role in any player’s fitness at the highest level of the game; being only 22 years of age, Parag has a fresh ‘nature’ in terms of fitness and amazing physical abilities to get better results for his team. His fitness could’ve played a great role in bringing energy to the teams while fielding, be it batting or bowling in the second innings.

So, it might emerge as one of the mistakes by Indian selectors while picking the men’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.