Assam Skipper Riyan Parag Carves His Name in Ranji Trophy History with Blistering Century
Riyan Parag, the Assam captain, has registered his name in the record-books of Indian domestic cricket by smashing the second-fastest century in the prestigious Ranji Trophy.
Batting with sheer commitment and power, Parag reached the three-figure mark in a mere 56 balls against Chhattisgarh in the opening match of the 2024 season.
Channeling the stellar form he displayed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Parag stood tall amidst a crumbling Assam batting line-up, single-handedly rescuing his team from a precarious position.
He amassed a monumental 155 runs off just 87 deliveries, his knock laced with 11 boundaries and a dozen towering sixes.
This remarkable feat catapults Parag to the second spot in the pantheon of fastest Ranji Trophy centuries. Only the swashbuckling Rishabh Pant stands ahead, his 48-ball blitz against Jharkhand in 2016-17 remaining the gold standard.
Moreover, Parag surpasses Naman Ojha’s 69-ball ton for Madhya Pradesh against Karnataka in 2014-15, which was second fastest century in Ranji Trophy.
Beyond the confines of the Ranji Trophy, Parag’s 56-ball masterclass also ranks as the fourth-fastest first-class century by an Indian batsman.
Only Brendon McCullum, the current England coach and former New Zealand skipper, has reached the 100-run mark quicker, achieving the feat in just 54 balls during a Test match against Australia in 2016.
Taking the crease with Assam reeling at 78/3, Parag adopted an aggressive approach, relentlessly attacking the bowlers from the outset. He displayed exquisite shot-making across the ground, compensating for the lack of support from his teammates.
His valiant effort propelled Assam to a respectable total of 254 in Raipur. This monumental knock signifies Parag’s second first-class century and his highest score in the format.
He has consistently delivered impactful performances throughout his career, boasting two centuries and 10 fifties in 26 first-class matches. His aggregate of 1,583 runs at an impressive average of over 33 speaks volumes of his batting prowess.
But Parag’s skillset extends beyond batting. He also possesses a handy off-spin, having scalped 49 wickets at an average of 36.73, including a solitary five-wicket haul.
Despite Parag’s heroics, Assam are staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat in their opening encounter. Chhattisgarh amassed a mammoth 327 runs in their first innings, and Assam could only muster a meager 159 in response, with Parag contributing just eight runs.
Forced to follow-on, Assam displayed resilience in the second innings, largely thanks to Parag’s record-breaking century. However, with a total of 254, they still fall short by 86 runs, setting the stage for Chhattisgarh’s inevitable victory.
