Follow UsRiyan Parag has been nursing a shoulder injury for some time now. That perhaps affected his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as well, where he scored 393 runs at a strike rate of 166.52 and picked up just three wickets.
Playing his first game since the end of the IPL, Parag led East Zone in their Duleep Trophy quarter-final against the North Zone.
Parag's team allowed North Zone to notch up 405 in the first innings and were then bowled out for just 230. They did not get a chance to bat again as North Zone amassed a massive total of 658/4.
In his only innings in the match, Parag hit a quickfire 39 off 47 and picked up a solitary wicket in his 22 overs in the match.
Speaking after the match, Parag said that it was important for him to get some match fitness under his belt and not worry about performances or results.
"The match felt good. I mean, that was the main goal when I came here to play the game. Performances, I didn't really focus on it that much. I just wanted to have some fun. I haven't played competitive cricket in a long time," Parag told reporters after the match.
"Since the IPL, I haven't really played any cricket. IPL also, I was managing a lot of stress and stuff like that. But this was a good outing. Not in a good way with the amount of overs we fielded.
"But then still, rolled my arm for a few overs, batted for a while. I could have converted it for a bigger score, but I'm happy. The arm also feels much better."
Parag, who also led Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a few games last season, says he will go back to the Ranji Trophy and try to win his place back in the Indian team.
"I think it's back to basics now. I took a break for the shoulder, and stuff like that happened. Ranji is coming in, then the Australia tour is coming in [in October]. If I get selected there, I do that," the 23-year-old said.
"Otherwise, I will go back to domestic cricket and do what I've been doing for the last 2-3 years. Be top scoring every single game, and have a good IPL and play for the country again."
Parag, the only cricketer from Assam to play for India, has played nine T20Is and one ODI since making his debut in 2024.