Indian cricketer Riyan Parag recently found himself in the middle of a controversy after his YouTube search history went viral, revealing explicit searches related to Bollywood actresses.
A Rising Cricket Star Faces Unexpected Backlash
Cricket in India is more than just a sport; it’s a shared passion that unites millions. Every year, new talents emerge from domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), striving to make their mark. Among them, Riyan Parag has stood out with his aggressive gameplay and all-round skills. His journey from domestic cricket to the IPL has demonstrated his immense potential.
However, like many young players, Parag has faced challenges—particularly criticism for inconsistent IPL performances. Recently, though, he was thrust into the spotlight for an entirely different reason. Screenshots of his YouTube search history surfaced online, leading to widespread backlash. Many netizens deemed the content inappropriate and called him out for engaging in such activities.
The Viral Search History Controversy
The controversy erupted when Parag accidentally revealed his search history during a live stream. While opening YouTube to search for music, viewers noticed the history displayed on the screen. Within moments, the screenshots spread across social media, making headlines and sparking heated discussions.
Riyan Parag is only 22 years old. We all did such things at that age.
But Ananya Pandey Hot 😭😭
Totally disappointed. pic.twitter.com/jvIsGz2Lqt
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) May 27, 2024
Riyan Parag Responds to the Allegations
In an interview with City1016 Radio, Parag addressed the controversy, explaining how the situation unfolded. He revealed that the incident originally took place before the IPL but was only publicized afterward. According to him, someone from his Discord streaming team had attempted to set him up, but the content was quickly taken down at the time.
Parag clarified:
“I finished the IPL, we were in Chennai, finished the match, and got on a Discord call with my streaming team. This actually happened before the IPL, but it resurfaced later. One of my team members tried to set me up, but it was taken down quickly. After IPL, the hype was there, and since I had a good season, it caught attention again. I didn’t have Spotify or Apple Music, so I opened YouTube to play music, unaware of what was about to happen.”
He admitted that he didn’t even realize what had happened until the stream ended, and by then, the damage was done.
“I searched for music on YouTube, and I didn’t know what was happening. But once the stream ended, I saw it and thought, ‘Oh s**t! This happened.’”
Addressing why he remained silent initially, Parag stated that he believed the situation was overblown and not worth a public explanation.
“It was blown out of proportion. I didn’t think it was a strong enough reason to come out publicly and clarify everything. People wouldn’t understand anyway.”
Riyan Parag For The First Time reacted on his search history Leak Moment. pic.twitter.com/T5SR12NufZ
— Ankur (@ankurtzz) February 11, 2025
Focus on Cricket: Parag’s Comeback
Despite the controversy, Parag remains focused on his cricketing career. After recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him from the T20I series in South Africa and the home series against England, he returned to lead Assam in the Ranji Trophy starting January 30, 2025.
His performance in IPL 2024 was stellar, where he played for the Rajasthan Royals, scoring 573 runs and smashing 33 sixes, making him the team’s leading run-scorer and the third-highest overall.
In July 2024, Parag made his international debut for India in T20Is against Zimbabwe, becoming the first male cricketer from Northeast India to be selected for the national team. He later earned his maiden One Day International (ODI) cap during the series against Sri Lanka, impressing with three wickets in his debut match.
While the recent controversy has somewhat overshadowed his professional achievements, fans hope that Parag will soon make headlines again—not for off-field drama but for his outstanding performances in IPL 2025.
What are your thoughts on this controversy? Share your views in the comments!
