It’s not often that six sixes are hit in an over. The number of cricketers who have achieved this rare feat can be counted on one hand, whether in international cricket, List-A, domestic cricket, or at the club level. Those who have managed to strike six consecutive sixes, whether Ravi Shastri, Kieron Pollard, Yuvraj Singh, or Herschelle Gibbs, are often remembered for that very accomplishment. The latest cricketer to join this elite club is 22-year-old Priyansh Arya from Delhi. However, Arya has his eyes set on even bigger goals, aspiring to make his Ranji Trophy debut for his state team this year.
Arya narrowly missed getting picked in the IPL auction last year, but he has been in phenomenal form for the South Delhi Superstarz in the ongoing Delhi Premier League (DPL). Arya boasts an impressive tally of 602 runs with a strike rate of 198 and an average of 75, including two centuries. While an IPL call-up seems within reach, Arya’s primary focus is on making his red-ball debut for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy.
“Test cricket has been my favorite since childhood. In my opinion, Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game. The player is truly tested by various conditions, swing, and other factors. Therefore, my main focus is to make my Ranji Trophy debut this year because the red-ball format will be my priority. A day after DPL, I will begin my red-ball practice because it is tough,” Arya said in an exclusive interview with India TV.
Arya has six fifty-plus scores in nine innings so far in the DPL, with his six sixes in an over against Manan Bhardwaj of North Delhi Strikers standing out as a highlight. That particular day, Arya smashed 120 off 50 balls and stitched a 286-run partnership with his captain Ayush Badoni. Recounting his mindset during that over, Arya said, “I think it was the 12th over, and the left-arm spinner came in to bowl. I was set and wanted to attack in that over. When I hit the fourth six, Ayush, who was batting alongside me, said that ‘it’s not often that you get a chance to hit six sixes in an over, so you can go for it.'”
A fan of former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, Arya credits his supportive family and his first coach Sanjay Bhardwaj for enabling him to reach such a high level at a young age.
. “I used to play in my street before I told my father that I wanted to play cricket. I was around 9-10 years old, and my father supported me from the start,” Arya said.
“He helped me join an academy. Sanjay Bhardwaj sir was my first coach. From childhood, sir would make me play with older guys so that I could improve and learn faster day by day. I always played with players older than my age group because sir never let me play with the younger guys.”
Despite his recent successes, Arya had to overcome significant disappointment last year when he was not picked in the IPL auction. The left-handed opener had impressive numbers in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 212 runs with a strike rate of 166. The setback took time to recover from.
“I was really disappointed. It was very hurtful. But later, I realized that I wasn’t consistent. In 7-8 games, I scored only two fifties, so I worked on that aspect of my game to be as consistent as possible,” Arya said, reflecting on his journey.
When it comes to consistency, Virat Kohli is the first name that comes to mind for many, including Arya, who admires Kohli’s aggression and attitude on the field. Interestingly, Arya’s favorite IPL team is not his home side, the Delhi Capitals, but Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). “RCB is my favorite because of Virat bhaiya. I like his aggression and attitude on the field,” he added.
Arya’s journey has been more than promising so far, and while a Ranji Trophy debut and an IPL call-up are high on his list, he also eyes the DPL trophy with the Superstarz. As he continues to make waves in domestic cricket, the cricketing world will undoubtedly keep an eye on this young talent’s next moves.
