“All of this feels very surreal” - Riyan Parag shares heartfelt message as he makes his ODI debut for India
Riyan Parag is all set to make his ODI debut for India in the final game of the ongoing three-match series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, August 7. Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to bat first. India have made two changes from the last game: Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag replaced KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh.
Ahead of the game, the BCCI shared a video in which Riyan Parag got candid about his emotions after learning that he would be making his ODI debut in the final game of the series. The right-handed batter said:
"Coming from Assam, it was a term ‘impossible,’ too far fetched for a kid to come here and play with players like you (by looking at Rohit Sharma). Players I have watched when I was growing up, idealized when I was growing up. So, that was the motto when I started but then me and my dad and mom made a mission that we were gonna make it here. Once we do, then we will be like okay that is something we have accomplished. It had happened in the T20Is.
"Now, this was even more emotional for me because I actually saw people who I watch growing up Rohit bhai, Virat bhaiya and now actually been here rpracticing, going inside, sharing the same hotel, being in the same room, all of this feels just very surreal. I called my mom when I first got this and mom-dad were on a video call with me when I got the ODI call up. Everyone was crying, it was a very emotional experience that I had and felt very surreal to be here, and to be with you guys feels amazing," he continued.
Riyan Parag made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in July 2024.
India made two changes for the crucial third game
The first match of the series ended in a tie, while the Sri Lankan bowlers were brilliant in the second to take the lead after defeating the visitors by 32 runs. The hosts have yet again won the toss and chose to bat first. In this all-important game, Sri Lanka have brought Maheesh Theekshana in for Akila Dananjaya.
Meanwhile, India have made two changes: Riyan Parag and Rishabh Pant came in place of KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh.
Playing XI of both teams:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando.