Riyan Parag picks three wickets on ODI debut, shows shades of Virat Kohli's aggression

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Riyan Parag became India's 256th ODI player on Wednesday, and the all-rounder delivered the performance which was expected of him. Considering the spin-friendly conditions prevalent in Colombo, India brought in an extra spinner in Riyan Parag in place of pacer Arshdeep Singh.

The 22-year-old from Assam got his debut ODI cap from his role model Virat Kohli, who motivated him by calling him a potential match-winner for India. He also added that captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir see "something special" in the all-rounder.

“Riyan, firstly congratulations for getting to play your first game for India. In today’s cricket, we all know apart from performances, people who are responsible for you guys getting selected were watching you and they’ve seen something special in you. And having spoken to GG Bhai (Gautam Gambhir), selectors, Rohit (Sharma) and everyone, they see something special in you,” said Kohli in a video shared by BCCI.

“You have that ability to be a match-winner for India. I know you have that belief, I’ve known you for a while now and we all have that belief in you. No better time to step in today, 0-1 down, to start off your international career. With an impactful presence on the field ball bat and fielding as well, I wish you all the best. Cap 256, Riyan Parag,” Kohli added.

Riyan Parag was brought into the attack in the 25th over. Sri Lanka were in a comfortable situation by then, having scored 103/1 after an 89-run opening stand. He bowled two overs in his first spell for 10 runs.

Captain Rohit Sharma brought the youngster back into the attack in the 36th over. The partnership between Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis had already forged a 70-plus partnership and the former was just eight short of a hundred when Parag trapped him in front of the stumps with a leg break.

The Sri Lanka scorecard read 173/2 after the end of the 36th over, and the hosts were still in a great position to go for a strong finish. However, Riyan Parag had some other plans as he struck once in the next over to send the Sri Lanka captain back in the pavilion.

Just a delivery before, Virat Kohli intimated Asalana by launching a sharp throw at him from short cover. The ball from Parag skidded straight after pitching to hit the back pad of Asalanka. A review was taken but for no use. Virat Kohli celebrated the wicket wildly, and the debutant just metres away from him matches the energy of his icon. No wonder, the picture went viral.

Siraj capitalised on the pressure built by Parag by bowling a yorker and getting Sadeera Samarawickrama out LBW. Washington Sundar clean bowled Janith Liyanage in the 43rd over, and Riyan Parag did the same with Dunith Wellalage in the next over to reduce Sri Lanka to 196/5.

Parag leaked two boundaries to Kusal Mendis in his last over to finish with figures of 3/54 in nine overs. Parag's fellow spinners Axar Patel (1/41 in 10 overs), Kuldeep Yadav (1/36 in 10 overs) and Washington Sundar (1/29 in 8 overs) and were more economical than him, his performance in his maiden 50-over outing as a bowler was worth appreciating. It helped India restrict Sri Lanka at 248/7.

Riyan Parag also picked three wickets on his T20I debut. He got maximum turn among Indian spinners in the series, and same was the case at the R Premadasa Stadium in the decisive third ODI. In Riyan Parag, India definitely have got a proper batter who can be nurtured into an effective spinner.