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[Saba Sports News] Riyan Parag, the talented all-rounder from Assam, has been in exceptional form during the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023. He currently leads the tournament’s run-scoring charts with 510 runs at an impressive average of 85, having recorded seven half-centuries at a remarkable strike rate of 182.79. This remarkable performance has sparked discussions about his potential inclusion in the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against Australia.
In addition to his batting prowess, Parag has also displayed his bowling skills by taking 11 wickets from ten matches, with an average of 24.54 and an economy rate of 7.29. His consistent performances in domestic cricket this season have made him a strong candidate for national selection.
According to reports, the Indian selectors are considering resting key players from the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 for the Australia series, and they are inclined towards selecting young talents who recently won gold at the Asian Games. To strengthen his case for selection, Parag was also the leading run-scorer in the Deodhar Trophy, amassing 354 runs in five games with an impressive average of 88.50 and a strike rate of 136.67, including two centuries and one fifty.
Additionally, veteran Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is expected to make his return in the upcoming series, where he may lead the Indian pace attack against Australia. Bhuvneshwar, who last played for India in a T20I against New Zealand in November 2022, impressed with his performance in SMAT 2023, claiming 16 wickets in seven innings at an average of 9.31 and an economy rate of 5.84. With 90 wickets in T20Is, the 33-year-old is expected to play a vital role in the young squad during the upcoming series.