Online rumors claim that Ranjit Barthakur and Parag Das are brothers by relation which has lead to Riyan Parag’s persistent selection
The selection of Riyan Parag as the Rajasthan Royals’ stand-in captain for the first games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season represents a major personal achievement for him.
Given the initial criticism Riyan Parag received, which accused him of nepotism because of his Assamese heritage and alleged connections inside the RR management, the accomplishment is very noteworthy.
Is Rajasthan Royals’ Chairman Ranjit Barthakur, the uncle of cricketer Riyan Parag and brother of his father Parag Das
Some fans and commentators were skeptical of Riyan Parag’s 2019 Rajasthan Royals selection at the age of 17.
Riyan Parag is not the relative of RR Owners
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They conjectured that his Assamese ancestry and a supposed bond with Ranjit Barthakur, the Executive Chairperson of the Rajasthan Royals, who is also from Assam, were the driving forces behind his admission.
These claims implied that his recruitment was influenced by regional connections rather than his cricketing prowess with the Royals also hosting matches in Assam each year in the IPL due to Riyan Parag.
Parag received further criticism for his erratic performances during his first few IPL seasons. His meager numbers were cited by his critics as proof that he was not chosen on the basis of merit.
However, Ranjit Barthakur is not related to Riyan Parag. He’s not his uncle, not his dad’s brother and not any other kind of blood relative. Ranjit Barthakur is the Chief Executive and Chairman of RR and is not Parag Das who is Riyan Parag’s father’s brother. Ranjit is from Jorhat while Parag Das is from Guwahati and there’s a 20-year age gap between the two as Parag Das is 51 and Ranjit is 70.
While some online claims have gone onto call out Riyan’s selection owing to Parag and Ranjit’s closeness, the two aren’t relatives although they are said to get along well with each other.
The Rajasthan Royals management persisted in supporting him in spite of these obstacles, demonstrating their faith in his abilities. The 2024 Indian Premier League season was a major turning point in Parag’s career. After being moved to the No. 4 hitting spot, he scored 573 runs, which put him third in the tournament overall and the team’s top run scorer.
Wait, what? So Ranjit Barthakur, Chairman of @rajasthanroyals, is Riyan Parag’s uncle?
Now it all makes sense—this isn’t talent backing, it’s nepotism in HD.@BCCI @IPL , time to investigate this family-run franchise before it turns into a full-blown dynasty drama. pic.twitter.com/GIRlDI1U2c
— Chinmay Shah (@chinmayshah28) April 17, 2025
In addition to silencing many of his critics, this performance demonstrated his abilities and supported the RR management’s confidence in him.
He made his debut in 2024 after earning a position in India’s T20I team because to his steady performances.
With regular captain Sanju Samson injured, Parag’s selection as the IPL 2025 stand-in captain marks the pinnacle of his development from a struggling young player to a dependable leader.
His elevated status within the team and the cricket community at large is evident in this capacity.
Riyan Parag’s background
Born in Guwahati, Assam, on November 10, 2001, Riyan Parag comes from a family that loves sports.
His father, Parag Das, was a former first-class cricket player who played for the East Zone side, Railways, and Assam. Mithu Baruah, his mother, holds a national swimming record. Parag had a strong athletic foundation thanks to this illustrious sporting heritage.
Ranjit Barthakur, the Executive Chairman of Royal Multisport Pvt. Ltd., which owns RR. Barthakur, from Jorhat, Assam, is the brother of Parag K. Das (Riyan’s father), making Riyan his nephew. @drskannada
Got it! pic.twitter.com/1Afa3ouz09
— Antonio Soprano (@swiftii1989) March 23, 2025