Historic Call-Up: Riyan Parag Becomes First North-Easterner in India T20 Squad

Riyan Parag, a promising batter from Assam, has become the first cricketer from North-East India to receive a call-up for the Indian T20 team. The squad, led by Shubman Gill, features several new faces and will play a five-match series in Zimbabwe, starting July 6, without senior stars.

In a significant milestone, Riyan Parag from Assam has emerged as the first cricketer from North-East India to secure a place in the Indian T20 team. The squad, captained by Shubman Gill, was announced on Monday, signaling a refreshed lineup for the upcoming five-match series in Zimbabwe. Scheduled to start on July 6, the series will unfold entirely in Harare, with a noticeable absence of senior players.

The national selection committee opted to rest first-team players, currently engaged in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies, after a strenuous three-and-a-half months of play, including the dynamic IPL season. The 21-year-old Parag, who shone with 573 runs for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, stands out in this young squad, which has an average age of approximately 25 years.

Other notable picks include Punjab's Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Reddy. The selection reflects a strategic move to expand the player pool ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)