Latest news with #WisdenSchoolsCricketeroftheYear
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Under Kuldeep Yadav's watchful eyes, Aryaman Varma prospers at Delhi Capitals, sets sight on England dream
At 18, most teenagers are balancing studies and early steps into adulthood. Aryaman Varma, meanwhile, is doing all that, but in addition to bowling to the likes of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis in Delhi Capitals' nets, exchanging cricketing philosophies with Kuldeep Yadav, and trying to earn his way into international cricket -- with a Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year award now under his belt. The leg-spinning all-rounder, who captained Eton College in England and took a staggering 51 wickets this season -- the most by any schoolboy cricketer in the UK -- is living out a script that seems straight from a cricketing fairytale. On April 22, he was honoured with Wisden's prestigious award, joining an elite list that includes the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler. 'Yes, it's quite a big moment for me and my family, and my coaches and everyone who has worked alongside me and worked with me for my cricket,' Aryaman tells Hindustan Times in an exclusive interaction, the pride in his voice matched only by his humility. 'If you look at the history of the award, the players who have won it, the first one to win was Jonny Bairstow. Obviously, we know what he's gone on to do. Jos Buttler's won it as well, and recently, Jacob Bethell, too. All of these guys have played for England, so the fact that I was fortunate enough to win this award is a really big step for me. I'm extremely grateful and honoured, and it's also an extra bit of motivation for me to continue with my cricket and really work hard to try and hopefully one day represent England internationally.' That dream, seeded in a cricket-mad household, found early bloom in Mumbai. 'For as long as I can remember, some of my earliest childhood memories involve a bat, a ball, and broken windows,' he says with a laugh. Born in London to Indian parents, Aryaman moved to Mumbai as a toddler, trailing his elder brother -- then an aspiring fast bowler -- to practice sessions. 'So, it is really my elder brother who got me into cricket.' His brother's career was cut short by injury, and Aryaman, still in school, felt the baton had been passed. 'As the youngest sibling, the responsibility fell on me to become a cricketer and make everyone proud. That's how I got into the game.' Back in England, he found his rhythm at Hampstead Cricket Club and then Eton College. 'I went to Eton College, my cricket excelled there. I've been in Middlesex and Surrey County, pathway system through all age groups, up until the U19s.' But the real turning point arrived in 2021, in a sun-soaked ICC Academy in Dubai. 'I was in Dubai when it all started. It was the Covid year when IPL was in Dubai. I was training there. My brother and one of my coaches were there. Delhi Capitals happened to train where I was also training, and one of the coaches saw me bowl. They asked me to come to the nets.' A simple net session became life-changing. 'I was bowling to Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Marsh… all of these amazing players. It was really just a random training session. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. I did relatively well, and they were impressed, so they called me back the next year.' Varma has been with the Capitals' net setup ever since. He's bowled to David Warner, Marsh, Pant, and Rahul across seasons -- and more importantly, been mentored by a brain trust that includes Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson, James Hopes, and one of India's leading spinners across formats, Kuldeep Yadav. 'No exaggeration, he's probably the nicest guy I've met,' Varma says of Kuldeep. 'In the off-season, I sent him videos of my bowling, and he gives me advice on technical things I could improve on. He's always happy to take my phone call, which is amazing. I'm lucky that way. If I can get anywhere as good as him, it would be unbelievable.' Kuldeep's guidance, from drawing nine release-point boxes on a pitch specifically to explain different variations to drilling the finer arts of drift and deception, has left a lasting imprint on Aryaman. But Aryaman's admiration for Kuldeep goes beyond just technique. 'Mentally, it's not just on the pitch. It's also on the bus, the warm-ups. Even what music he listens to. So, you pick up those small habits that these amazing players have,' says the youngster. Ask him about the cricketers who shaped his love for the game, and the response is swift, heartfelt, and full of reverence. 'It would be a slightly common and boring answer, but both my brother and I idolise Virat Kohli. He's someone that our family looks up to, not just because of his skills but because of what he's achieved. It's hard for me not to say that 'King Kohli' was my idol growing up,' says the 18-year-old. But like his mentor, Kuldeep, Aryaman has also followed the legendary Shane Warne. 'Shane Warne was definitely an idol, too,' he adds. 'He was aggressive. There are so many clips of him and his aggression, his energy and fierce personality that show his competitive spirit. So, growing up, those two were my idols.' Aryaman smiles at the thought of a potential face-off with Virat Kohli. 'Hopefully, one day, DC vs RCB, Varma to Kohli. That would be a dream.' The franchise setting could be overwhelming for someone so young. But Varma remembers a moment that set the tone: 'The most special moment was when I was bowling in the nets for the first time. I was scared. But there was a team huddle, and Ricky Ponting said my name and introduced me to the squad. I was left speechless. I was in shock. That moment is so ingrained in my head. That will be a highlight for life.' It's clear Ponting's advice has been formative. 'He told me I'm young, I shouldn't worry about anything except for just playing the game. I shouldn't worry about stats or results and just focus on how many balls I'm bowling. That ingrained into me. He told me to just put in the hours, and you will feel the reward later. That has improved my work ethic,' says Aryaman. Now with the UK summer beckoning, Varma is aware that nothing is guaranteed. 'It's hard to know where I'll be in 2-3 years. The UK summer is starting soon, and I'll return after IPL in a week for the season. I have to perform. That's the truth of every sport. It's just a case of continuing to work hard, physically and mentally. Put in a hundred per cent in the matches and control the controllables. If I perform well enough, one day, I can be representing England.' For now, though, the dream is simpler: to keep improving. 'I'm 18, at the start of my career. I think it's not right to try to specialise in something at this age. The plan is to just play cricket as much as possible. Wherever it leads me to… that's in God's hands.' With his attitude, mentors, and growing list of experiences, that path looks promising indeed.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Wisden's Schools Cricketer of the Year is a British with Indian roots, wants to dismiss Virat Kohli: 'Makes me shiver'
Eighteen-year-old Aryaman Varma was named the 2025 Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year earlier this week, an accolade that once celebrated the likes of Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow. The young leg-spinner enjoyed a record-breaking outing this season, picking 51 wickets and captaining Eton College. However, one of his biggest dreams is to dismiss a man who needs no introduction to the world of cricket: Virat Kohli. "This might be a very boring answer," Varma told "but it's Virat Kohli, the king. Just thinking about it makes me shiver. But I'm sure if I got him out, there would be tears running down my face and cheek.' It's a sentiment not just born of admiration, but of devotion. 'Virat Kohli is someone my whole family admires. I would even say we worship him. The character he is, the entertainment he provides, and the skill he has – it's never been seen before, and I don't think it ever will be.' While many teenagers idolise stars from a distance, Varma is inching closer to the dream. Over the last three years, he's been a net bowler with Delhi Capitals, sharing the nets and notes with India's ace wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The mentorship, Varma says, has shaped his path more than anything else. "Kuldeep bhai has given me just one piece of advice. He has told me that at my age, I should just play matches. He says the more match experience I have, the better I will become," said the youngster. Kuldeep's words have become a guiding principle for Varma as he juggles cricket in England with his aspirations in the IPL and beyond. Having spent his early years in Mumbai before moving to London, Varma has stayed rooted in his cricketing passion. The teen's ambition remains crystal clear: to play international cricket, to bowl in the IPL, and one day, to take the wicket of his idol. 'To get his wicket one day, maybe while bowling against RCB, would be the biggest dream come true,' he said.
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Business Standard
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Teen spin sensation Aryaman Varma crowned Wisden cricketer of 2025
Aryaman Varma, an 18-year-old leg-spinner from England, has been honored with the prestigious Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year award for 2025. The Eton College captain achieved a remarkable feat during the 2024 season by taking 51 wickets, a record-breaking performance that has not been seen for several decades at the school . Eton College Varma's exceptional bowling skills were evident in key matches throughout the season. In the opening Cowdrey Cup fixture against Charterhouse, he delivered a match-winning performance by taking five wickets, including the crucial scalp of their captain, which restricted Charterhouse to 246 runs and set the stage for Eton's victory. Additionally, during 'T20 week,' Varma showcased his all-round abilities by leading Eton to three consecutive wins, culminating in a hat-trick against the Free Foresters. His contributions were instrumental in Eton winning the Silk Trophy for the second consecutive year. Aryaman mentored by Kuldeep Yadav Beyond his school achievements, Varma has been associated with the Delhi Capitals as a net bowler for the past three years. He also holds a contract with the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, where he has been mentored by Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav. Varma aspires to represent England in all formats of the game and aims to bowl against his childhood hero, Virat Kohli. Reflecting on his journey, Varma expressed his gratitude for the support from his family, especially his mother, Ekta Varma, and his elder brother, Arnav Varma, who was a promising fast bowler before an injury ended his career. Varma credits his brother's early influence as a significant factor in his own cricketing aspirations.
News18
23-04-2025
- Sport
- News18
Indian Origin Aryaman Varma Wins Wisden Schools Cricketer Of The Year Award
Last Updated: Aryaman Varma was part of Dubai Capitals squad that won the ILT20 earlier this year and has been a net bowler for IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. Wisden announced its annual cricket awards recently for various categories and among the winners is an Indian origin cricketer Aryaman Varma, an 18-year-old legspinner. Varma won Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year award for taking 51 wickets and scoring 300 runs while captaining Elton College in Berkshire (England). Overall, Varma is the 17th recipient of the award which counts among the winners Jonny Bairstow – the first ever winner of this award in 2008 – and Jos Buttler – the third winner in 2010. 'It's a massive deal winning this award," Varma told The Times of India. 'But the way I found out was kind of interesting. I had just finished a gym session. I checked my email and saw the brilliant news. I checked the email a couple of times just to make sure that I was reading it correctly before I started telling my family." Born in London, the 18-year-old Englishman's family hails from Delhi. He was bitten by the cricket bug during his early years which he spent in Mumbai. Earlier this year, ILT20 franchise Dubai Capitals roped in Varma as a partial replacement for Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk. He was part of their squad as they went on to win the title. Like Buttler and Bairstow, Varma dreams to represent England at the international level one day. 'The goal is one day to represent England internationally. I'm only 18 years old, so it's still too early to decide exactly where I'm going to go with my future in white-ball cricket or red-ball cricket," he said. Varma has also been associated with IPL franchise Delhi Capitals as their net bowler for the past three years. He's being mentored by DC left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav. 'Kuldeep bhai has given me just one piece of advice. He has told me that at my age, I should just play matches. He says the more match experience I have, the better I will become," he said.
