In an age where social media bridges the gap between athletes and fans, one post has struck an emotional chord with cricket lovers across the country. On Sunday, June 29, young Indian cricketer Riyan Parag posted an Instagram story during a Q & A session with fans that quickly went viral. When asked who his biggest inspiration was, the 22-year-old didn’t hesitate
Riyan Parag’s heartfelt tribute to Virat Kohli
Parag, the rising star of Indian cricket, recently touched the hearts of fans worldwide with a touching Instagram story dedicated to his idol, Virat Kohli. During a Q&A session with his followers, Riyan revealed the profound inspiration he draws from Kohli, calling him “The King who gave me my India cap.” This emotional moment resonated deeply across social media on June 29, 2025, highlighting the special bond between the young cricketer and his legendary mentor.
Parag’s journey to international cricket is nothing short of inspiring. Hailing from Assam, he made history as the first male cricketer from the state to debut for India in One Day Internationals. The crowning moment of his career so far came when Kohli personally presented him with his India cap before the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Riyan’s Instagram story featured a poignant image of Kohli placing the cap on his head, symbolizing not just a formality but the realization of a lifelong dream.
Kohli’s words at that ceremony were powerful and encouraging: he acknowledged the faith selectors had in Riyan and expressed confidence in his ability to be a match-winner for India. This gesture and Kohli’s belief in him have clearly left a lasting impact on Riyan, fueling his ambition and dedication to the sport.
Riyan Parag’s Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/iTDIjqA5Je
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 29, 2025
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The rise of Riyan Parag: From IPL prodigy to India debut
Riyan’s cricketing journey began with a bang when he became the youngest half-centurion in the IPL at just 17 years of age in 2019, smashing a 49-ball 50 for Rajasthan Royals. Despite a challenging IPL 2022 season, where he scored only 183 runs in 14 innings, Riyan showed remarkable resilience. His domestic performances in the 2023-24 season, including a blistering 510 runs at a strike rate of 182.79 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and leading six-hitting stats in the Deodhar Trophy, demonstrated his growing maturity and skill.
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