Riyan Parag Misplaces Passport, Phones In Excitement Ahead Of Departure For Zimbabwe Tour
New Delhi: In a whirlwind of excitement, Assam all-rounder Riyan Parag misplaced his passport and two phones at the airport before joining the Indian squad for their Zimbabwe tour. Thankfully, he managed to recover all his belongings in time to catch the Harare-bound flight with his teammates.
“So excited that I’ve forgotten my passport. I’ve forgotten my phone. I’ve not forgotten, I’ve misplaced them. But I have it now,” Parag, who has earned his maiden India call-up, said in a video posted by BCCI.
The young Indian team, which will be Captained by Shubman Gill, in the absence of India’s T20 World Cup-winning stars, gathered in Mumbai on Monday night to depart from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Gill, who was travelling reserve with the T20 World Cup squad in the USA, arrived here after having a break in New York.
The team, guided by NCA head VVS Laxman in the interim as the BCCI searches for Rahul Dravid’s successor following his World Cup tenure, landed in Harare late Tuesday after a grueling 20-hour flight and was greeted with a warm welcome.
“We welcome T20 World Cup champions India,” wrote ZC on Tuesday night in a post on ‘X’.
! #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/Oiv5ZxgzaS
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 2, 2024
Parag, who will be making his India debut in the series, said in a video posted by BCCI that he had a childhood dream of travelling like this (with the national side).
“The feel of donning India jersey, travelling with the side is different. Coming from Assam, I had this dream of playing for India. Really happy. There will be a special connection for Zimbabwe when I play my first match.
“That will be a special moment for that ground and myself, which would be very sacred,” he said.
Parag had a tremendous IPL 2024 season, as the batter amassed 573 runs for Rajasthan Royals in 15 innings at an average of 52 and maintained a decent strike rate of 149.22.
He was relieved after finding his phones and passport. “After misplacing my passport, I two phones. We’re finally here. A 20-hour journey. I have got the room keys,” he said after landing in Harare.
Alongside Parag, Abhishek Sharma and Tushar Deshpande have also received their first call-ups to the Indian squad.
Deshpande, said the feeling of being in the national setup is “slowly sinking in and it’s like a dream come true for me. Playing for the country is a very special thing.”
“Travelling with the team is the most important and getting to know them, knowing the atmosphere of the team and most important for me is the fun we have during travel,” added Deshpande.
Big-hitting left-hander Abhishek Sharma shared that from the moment he picked up a cricket bat, his singular dream has always been to play for his country.
“I know if I continue working hard, I will get an opportunity but I didn’t know I will get it outside India in Zimbabwe.
Travel Day
The Journey Begins…
Excitement, happiness & more, ft. #TeamIndia newcomers #ZIMvIND | @ParagRiyan | @IamAbhiSharma4 pic.twitter.com/YdhK5jldtW
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 3, 2024
“I got a call from (skipper) Shubman after my name was announced in the squad. Everyone has been giving me so much of affection. For me it was a very big thing,” added Sharma.
“When I reached home after my name had been announced, I saw my family members giving interviews. So, I think, that was one moment I will always remember,” he said.
India is set to kick off their campaign against Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, on July 6 at Harare Cricket Ground. The series will feature all five matches at the same venue, wrapping up on July 14.
Meanwhile, T20 World Cup reserves Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, alongside all-rounder Shivam Dube, intended to join the squad but are currently stranded in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl.
In response, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana have been named as replacements for the first two matches of the series.
India is set to kick off their campaign against Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, on July 6 at Harare Cricket Ground. The series will feature all five matches at the same venue, wrapping up on July 14.
Meanwhile, T20 World Cup reserves Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, alongside all-rounder Shivam Dube, intended to join the squad but are currently stranded in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl.
In response, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana have been named as replacements for the first two matches of the series.