Riyan Parag's emotional request to ex-cricketers, commentators - 'Can always reach me via DM'

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Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Riyan Parag has often been criticized by fans, the media and even some former cricketers. So, the Assamese cricketer had a message to the trolls via a video posted by the IPL franchise.

Many critics have questioned Parag's spot in the Royals playing 11 as the all-rounder has failed to repay the faith shown by the franchise, who has given him enough opportunity so far.

Rajasthan Royals took a dig at Joy Bhattacharjya as they opened the video with a segment from his chat with Harsha Bhogle on the Royals team combination for a match.

While Bhogle said the reason they brought Jason Holder into the side was very clear as they wanted 6 batters and 5 bowlers, Bhattacharjya interrupted saying 'No, 5 batters, 5 bowlers and Riyan Parag' taking a swipe at the Assam cricketer.

In the video posted by Rajasthan Royals on their official Twitter account, Parag understands fans trolling him, but had a message to ex cricketers and commentators to share any advice directly rather than sharing them on social media platforms.

"People pay their hard-earned money to come watch us perform, not play. So us not performing, them hating. I totally understand," Parag said in the video on the trolls.

"But I think verified accounts, ex cricketers, commentators when they are posting about this on social media and they're taking out time to tweet about me. You can just text me. I would honestly love that.

"Because if anyone can just DM (direct message) me and say 'Hey, I know this is how you play cricket. But if you do this, you may have a better chance of performing'."

The young all-rounder was gutted to miss out on facing two teams - Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore - in the bygone edition of IPL, and it made him understand how it felt when being left out.

"There were two games I was really looking forward to this year. One was Mumbai (Mumbai Indians) and one was RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore). And I didn't play both," Parag added.

"Everything was sorted and I was fully ready. I was preparing very hard before the game. Very, very disappointed to not go to Bangalore because that's the team I love playing against.

"Virat, I look up to him so much and sharing the field with him is obviously very big for me. And, you know beating them and it's just a joy for me. But then when you go back to the hotel, you got to look at yourself in the mirror and say 'You have been left out'."

Parag also faced a lot of flak for his social media activity during the IPL. The 21-year-old also said people don't understand that his social media accounts are not just about cricket and it's about his life.

"My Instagram is about my life. It's not about my cricket. Sure, in the season if you were doing something, we are going post about it. But it's mostly about my life. And that's gaming and golfing. So, I like to show that. People don't understand it, but I've got no control over that," Parag said.

"When the tough times are there, that's when true character shows. I had my character and I had my sanity throughout the tournament (IPL 2023). I had patience. I went through it and saw a little bit of glimpse I put..all the hard work that I had put in on the last game. So, I think it's a lot of learning."

Parag was recently named in the 15-man India 'A' squad for the upcoming ACC Men's Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023, where he will hope to prove his critics wrong.