New Delhi: The firsts of our lives are always special be it watching the first cricket game from a live venue or meeting your favourite sportsperson for the first time. These moments are etched in the list of our souvenirs.
On Monday, Priyansh Arya had his moment of first to celebrate when the 23-year-old became the first player to score a century in the inaugural edition of the Delhi Premier League 2024. The South Delhi Superstarz opener blitzed an unbeaten 107 runs off 55 balls to propel his team to the highest total of the tournament – 235 for 3 – and eventually triumph by 88 runs to consolidate the second spot on the points table.
“The first player is always remembered. I think I should score more centuries, at least 2 more in the remaining tournament,” a worn Priyansh told reporters at the Arun Jaitley Stadium after the match, where winning the Player of the Match (POTM) award.
Priyansh’s innings was a mix of bland and lively moments. He bided his time at the crease before turning the crowd with elegancy. Priyansh’s six-year younger opening partner Sarthak Ray played the aggressor when the team crossed 50 at the end of the powerplay overs. At that juncture, the southpaw was batting on 16 runs from 15 deliveries but it took him just two overs along with a couple of sixes and a boundary to outwit Sarthak’s score.
The two raced to their half-centuries but Sarthak, with his inexperience in competitive cricket, couldn’t hold the nerves and departed for 49. Priyansh completed his fourth half-century of the tournament in just five innings before pressing the accelerator button.
The multi-dimensional batter
It took the youngster just 19 balls to convert his fifty into a three-figure score, laced by nine boundaries and seven sixes. He loves to play the pull shots and lofted cover drives Though the pulls didn’t come off his bat frequently, there were plenty of boundaries cleared over covers, including a final-ball six to culminate the brilliant innings.
“The longer I stay on the wicket then more I could contribute for the team. My mindset was to play the 20 overs completely. Before this, I would get out in the 15th or 16th over. So, I wanted to take the team forward single-handedly,” said the Superstarz opener after not being able to convert his 50-plus scores into three figures in his last four innings (57, 82, 53 & 45) despite flying starts.
Priyansh received praise from his skipper Ayush Badoni, who scored the fastest half-century of the tournament in 18 balls. Priyansh and Badoni stitched 90 runs for the second wicket before the latter perished to a switch-hit attempt in the 18th over.
“I am very happy for him (Priyansh Arya). First hundred came today, and that too from our team. He is also my friend. I am happy his hundred came on a winning note. So happy for both the things,” said Badoni, who plays for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
More than handy with the ball
In competitive cricket matches, it is often observed that a centurion (in first innings) is rested for the initial overs of the chase. But Priyansh Arya was asked to roll the ball with his off-breaker in the second over itself by Badoni, who opened the bowling attack.
“The plan was to take wickets as they were on the backfoot. It was pretty clear they will go after us right from the start and we had to use it to our advantage,” Priyansh revealed, though he didn’t pick any wicket from his only over of the game.
With 344 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 117.32, Priyansh, 23, leads the charts as the highest run-getter in the tournament thus far. The buoyant southpaw should ride on his success and continue the terrific run when he plays for the senior Delhi team in his second season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy later in the month. It will be a key time for his future ahead of the potential IPL 2025 auction.
On Monday, Priyansh Arya had his moment of first to celebrate when the 23-year-old became the first player to score a century in the inaugural edition of the Delhi Premier League 2024. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
