Riyan Parag becomes India's first FC cricketer born in 21st century

The 6th round of the Ranji Trophy 2017-18 lost its charm with lack of International stars and the outset of the India v Sri Lanka Test series but it did witness a special moment. At India’s new International venue, the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, 1000 km far from the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Assam cricketer Riyan Parag made his first-class debut. Riyan was born on 10th November 2001 and thus became the first Indian first-class cricketer born in the 21st century.

He made his debut against Hyderabad in the Group A game at his home ground. Earlier this year, Riyan featured in a couple of List A matches and three Twenty20 games but made his FC debut a week after celebrating his 16th birthday. During the 2016-17 season, Haryana player Ashok Sandhu came close to becoming the first 21st-century born player as he was born on October 11, 2000. He made his FC debut in 2016 a couple of days before turning 16.

Interestingly, both Sandhu and Parag shared the dressing room during the India U19s tour of England in August. Sandhu scored a fifty and picked six wickets in the 2-match Test series while Riyan struck three fifties in four innings. During the tour, he scored a fifty off just 33 balls which is the 2nd fastest known fifty in Youth Test cricket. Indian skipper Virat Kohli scored a 32-ball fifty in 2007 against Sri Lanka.

The 16-year-old was a part of India U19 squad that played in the Youth Asia Cup in Malaysia and were knocked out in the group stage after losing to Nepal and Bangladesh in successive games. After returning from the tournament, Riyan and other U19 players made their appearance on the Ranji Trophy in the road to U19 World Cup in New Zealand next year.

Not a great debut in FC cricket

Riyan Parag didn’t have a memorable debut as he scored nine and three runs respectively while opening in both the innings. He got out bowled in the first innings by Hyderabad’s debut pacer Mudassar and was caught behind in the 2nd innings. His team was asked to follow-on after getting bowled out for only 136 in reply to Hyderabad’s 326 and stood at 36/2 in the 2nd essay at the end of day two.