Kumar Mangalam Birla’s son Aryaman hits his maiden Ranji hundred

At a time when cricket in India has seen a deep democratisation with talents from the middle and lower-middle strata making their mark on the 22 yards, here is a story which will surely take the game on a nostalgic ride to the days when the elite used to dominate it. On Thursday, a 21-year-old batsman from Madhya Pradesh named Aryaman scored his first hundred in Ranji Trophy and he is the son of one of India’s top industrialists and richest men Kumar Mangalam Birla.

Aryaman stayed unbeaten till the end to ensure his team didn’t lose

Aryaman, who made his debut in first-class cricket only last November, scored an unbeaten 103 off 189 balls in the second innings of the game against Bengal at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata (where incidentally his father was born) after his side was made to follow-on. MP were bowled out for 335 in their first innings, conceding a lead of 175 to the opponents.

The left-handed opener, who was playing just his third first-class game, fell for 12 in the first essay but came out determined in the second to remain unbeaten till the 69th over to ensure that MP drew the match and did not go without a point. MP now have two points from two matches with both ending in draws.

Aryaman also hit a fifty this Ranji season which he scored against Tamil Nadu and the side now looks at the youngster with more trust. The man, who made his Ranji debut against Odisha last year, was also picked by Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) though he did not get a game. He has also played four List A matches after making debut in September.

“Everyone is born in a particular family. That’s not a barrier for anything. There’s no particular norm to become something. I’ve been playing professionally for four-five years,” Aryaman, who came into prominence after playing at district level cricket for Rewa, MP, said.

He aims to make his own legacy in a family which is already famous. “There’s a legacy that I would love to build on in my own way. I know there is pressure but when you’re playing you just keep your focus at the ball. It’s the 22 yards that count. It’s a great responsibility for me I would love to take it forward,” the youngster said.

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