“I Cried in the Bathroom” – Riyan Parag Opens Up on Form Struggles, Eyes Comeback Under Gautam Gambhir

By Deepesh Sharma | New Delhi: Indian batter Riyan Parag has made a candid revelation about his struggles with form, admitting that he once broke down in the bathroom due to poor performances.

Eager to Return to Team India

Parag, sidelined from the Indian team for over a year due to a right shoulder injury, has been making a strong case for a comeback with consistent domestic performances. Currently captaining Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Parag is determined to return to the Indian dressing room.

Reflecting on his ambitions, he told The Hindu,
“I believe I was good enough for India. Call it confidence or overconfidence — whatever you like. I know my injury kept me out of the team, but I can play in both white-ball formats. Once fully fit, you will see me donning the Indian jersey again.”

Struggles on the Field

Parag last represented India in a T20I against Bangladesh in October 2024 and played a single ODI against Sri Lanka in August 2024. Despite being named among potential players for South Africa’s T20 series, he did not make the squad.

He candidly shared his domestic challenges, saying,
“During two SMAT seasons, I averaged only 45–50 across seven matches, and in 14 IPL games, I couldn’t even score 70 runs. I cried in the bathroom because I was failing to score. I questioned whether I should practice, take a break, or do something entirely different. It’s all about muscle memory — if I score, it’s great; if not, it doesn’t mean I won’t score in the IPL.”

Assam’s Performance in SMAT 2025

Under Parag’s leadership, Assam has won 2 out of 3 matches so far in SMAT 2025, currently sitting 5th in Elite Group A. While the team is performing steadily, Parag knows there is room for improvement as they aim to climb higher in the standings.

Looking Ahead

With his domestic form on the rise and injury behind him, the cricketing world awaits to see if Gautam Gambhir, as a mentor and former player, can guide Riyan Parag back into the Indian team, fulfilling the promise that fans have long anticipated.