East Zone captain Riyan Parag 's focus at the season-opening 2025-26 Duleep Trophy was on easing himself back into the grind of competitive cricket and getting some game-time after he had spent most of last season managing a shoulder injury.

Parag last turned out for India in a T20I against Bangladesh in October 2024 . He had to undergo surgery for his shoulder injury, after which he played in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 for Assam in January. Before the Duleep Trophy, Parag had last played competitive cricket in IPL 2025 for Rajasthan Royals (RR). He was their second-highest run-scorer during the season, but was "managing a lot of stress" due to the shoulder injury.

"It was good," Parag said after the final day of the Duleep Trophy game against North Zone . "I mean, that was the mai

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