Indian cricketer Riyan Parag is currently in the spotlight. He captained the Rajasthan Royals in several matches during the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), although the team ultimately became the third team eliminated from the playoffs.
Sports News: Riyan Parag, a rising star in Indian domestic cricket, has been given another significant responsibility. After a stellar batting performance for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, Parag will now lead Assam in a five-match ODI series against Namibia. This tour presents a golden opportunity for Indian domestic players to gain experience and showcase their skills against an international team.
Assam Team Receives a Boost of Youth and Experience
The Assam Cricket Association's announced team for this tour boasts a b blend of youth and experience. Besides Riyan Parag, the team includes experienced domestic players like Akash Sengupta, Parvez Musharraf, and Danish Das, who have delivered notable performances in the Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophies.
Under Parag's captaincy, the team appears confident and fully prepared to prove themselves against a rising international team like Namibia.
Namibia's Challenge: Not an Easy Path
On the other hand, the Namibian team shouldn't be underestimated. They are captained by Gerhard Erasmus, an experienced all-rounder. The team also includes players like JJ Smit and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who have demonstrated excellent performances in domestic and international cricket. Namibia regularly participates in T20 World Cup qualifiers and associate nation tournaments, giving them substantial experience on big stages. This series will be a true test for Assam.
Assam vs. Namibia ODI Series Schedule
- First ODI: June 21, 2025
- Second ODI: June 23, 2025
- Third ODI: June 25, 2025
- Fourth ODI: June 27, 2025
- Fifth ODI: June 29, 2025
All matches will begin at 1:30 PM IST.
Riyan Parag's Recent Form: Shone in IPL 2025
Riyan Parag scored 393 runs in 14 matches for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. His strike rate was 166.52, considered exceptional for a middle-order batsman. His outstanding 95-run innings against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens was the highlight of his season. Parag's domestic career has also been impressive:
- First-class matches: 33 matches, 2042 runs
- List A matches: 50 matches, 1735 runs and 53 wickets
- T20 matches: 137 matches, 3115 runs and 48 wickets
While Riyan Parag's international career is still in its early stages, he has already played 1 ODI and 9 T20 Internationals for India. He has taken 3 wickets and scored 15 runs in ODIs, and scored 106 runs and taken 4 wickets in T20s.
