"Stop doing the PR" - Shreevats Goswami's scathing take on Team India all-rounder amid IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Former U-19 World Cup winner Shreevats Goswami slammed a fan backing the inclusion of Riyan Parag into the ODI setup amid Washington Sundar's struggle as the spin-bowling all-rounder in the team. The Tamil Nadu player is having a rough time in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, where he is wicketless and has scored only 14 runs in two innings.

Washington Sundar has been integrated across all formats in a wide variety of roles in recent times. In the first ODI in Ranchi, he was slotted in at No.5, but could only chip in with a sluggish knock where he scored 13 runs off 19 deliveries at a strike rate of 68.42.

His misfortune continued in the second match in Raipur as well, where he was run out for just 1, and finished with figures of 0-28 off four overs during the four-wicket loss.

Goswami had slammed Washington Sundar's inclusion in the side after his poor outing, and questioned why Tilak Varma can't be used in a similar capacity.

"If Washi is someone who bowls 4 overs bats at 6. Tilak can do that as well. He can roll his arm when needed and can add power hitting & depth. I have nothing against washi, he’s a quality cricketer but just feels if this is his role , Tilak can do better, no?" Goswami posted on X.

When a fan replied that even Riyan Parag is a decent option as a spin bowling all-rounder in the ODI setup, Goswami expressed that the emerging all-rounder should be nowhere near a call-up.

"Not sure where this Riyan Parag fan page has been activated all of a sudden. He is and should no where be close “ at the moment “ for a ODI call up ! So please .. STOP doing the PR," Goswami posted on X.

Riyan Parag had made his ODI debut in Gautam Gambhir's maiden assignment as head coach during the tour of Sri Lanka in 2024. He scored 15 runs and picked up three wickets in his sole outing in the format so far.

Riyan Parag was recently crowned player of the series during India A's series win over Australia A

The young all-rounder was the leading run-scorer in the three-match unofficial series between India 'A' and Australia 'A' in Kanpur. He recorded 187 runs at an average of 62.33, as the hosts recorded a 2-1 win.

Shortly after the white-ball series, Parag starred for Assam in the historic two-day first-class win over Services in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. He picked up his second five-wicket haul in red-ball cricket with figures of 5-25 in the first innings, along with a couple of wickets in the second innings as well.

He has not been in the best of form recently, following a poor start to his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, but he remains a massive prospect for Team India, especially as far as white-ball cricket is concerned.