Assam all-rounder Riyan Parag misplaced his passport and two phones just before joining the Indian cricket squad for their tour of Zimbabwe. The young cricketer, who earned his maiden call-up to the national team, managed to recover all his belongings just in time to catch the Harare-bound flight with his teammates. “I was so excited that I forgot my passport and my phones. But I have them now,” Parag said in a video shared by the BCCI.
The Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, gathered in Mumbai on Monday night before departing from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Gill, who was part of the T20 World Cup squad as a travelling reserve, joined the team from New York after a brief break. The squad, under the guidance of NCA head VVS Laxman, arrived in Harare late Tuesday after a long 20-hour flight and was warmly welcomed by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC). “We welcome T20 World Cup champions India,” ZC posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
Travel Day ✅
The Journey Begins… 👌
Excitement, happiness & more, ft. #TeamIndia newcomers 😎#ZIMvIND | @ParagRiyan | @IamAbhiSharma4 pic.twitter.com/YdhK5jldtW
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 3, 2024
Riyan Parag, who had an impressive IPL 2024 season with the Rajasthan Royals, scoring 573 runs at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 149.22, expressed his joy and excitement about making his India debut. “Playing for India has always been a dream for me, coming from Assam. The feel of donning the India jersey and traveling with the team is unparalleled. Zimbabwe will always have a special place in my heart when I play my first match,” Parag shared.
Joining Parag on their maiden call-ups are Abhishek Sharma and Tushar Deshpande. Deshpande described the experience as surreal and a dream come true. “Being part of the national setup is slowly sinking in. It’s a very special feeling,” he said. Sharma echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing his lifelong dream of playing for India. “I didn’t expect my debut to come in Zimbabwe, but it’s a huge honor. The support from my family and teammates has been overwhelming,” Sharma noted.
India’s tour of Zimbabwe will kick off with their first match against Sikandar Raza-led Zimbabwe on July 6 at Harare Cricket Ground, with all five games scheduled at the same venue, concluding on July 14.
With an unexpected turn, T20 World Cup travelling reserves Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shivam Dube were delayed in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl. The BCCI announced Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana as their replacements for the first two matches. The stranded players are expected to return to India on Thursday morning and will be honored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, travelling reserves Khaleel Ahmed and Rinku Singh remain in Barbados, with no replacements named for the Zimbabwe series. As the young Indian side embarks on this tour, the excitement and anticipation are palpable, especially for the debutants who are ready to make their mark on the international stage.
