Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has opined that Riyan Parag needs to show versatility to warrant a place in India’s ODI team. Former Indian cricketer Shreevats Goswami argued if Parag deserves his chance in the ODI team as Washington Sundar hasn’t been given a specified role by the team in the 50-over version.
Ashwin highlighted that Parag has done a decent job for Rajasthan Royals while batting at either three or four, but he is yet to prove his mettle while batting at number five or six in the List A cricket for Assam.
Parag has played a solitary ODI for India, in which he scored 15 runs. The right-hander has scored 1566 runs in 83 IPL matches at an average of 26.1 and a strike rate of 141.85.
“Riyan is a fine, fine talent, he does have runs and averages 41 in List A cricket. At the moment requirement is to come in at no 5 or 6, give the required thrust and fill in some overs, hence he won’t fit the bill because he hasn’t batted at that number for his franchisee or Assam. He started as a finisher for RR and that didn’t work, he succeeded as a good no 3/4,” Ashwin posted on X.
Ashwin said Ruturaj Gaikwad is succeeding despite batting out of his natural position. Gaikwad scored a fine knock of 105 runs off just 83 balls in the second game against South Africa while batting at number four.
“Ruturaj has now been given a chance at 4 and that seems out of position for some, but he has batted at 3 in the IPL over the last season or 2, which now looks like an effort to show how versatile he can be. Rutu’s instance could well be a case of communication from the selection front ( either coach, selector or anyone from the management ) or his decision. At this point of time Riyan needs to show that sort of versatility to be able to warrant a place at 5/6. Humble Submission. We can always agree to disagree,” Ashwin added.
The third and final ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, on Saturday.
