The Aravali Cricket Club: A Pipeline to the IPL
The Aravali Cricket Club, nestled in the once-quiet Jaipur suburb of Hathod, has quietly become a pipeline to the Indian Premier League (IPL). This story is about the club's transformation and the players who have emerged from its ranks, including Akash Singh, Ashok Sharma, Mukul Choudhary, and Kartik Sharma.
The club's origins can be traced back to 2001 when former Rajasthan batter Vivek Yadav started a small school ground as a passion project. However, it wasn't until 2012 that Yadav had the means to give structure to his passion, following consecutive Ranji Trophy triumphs with Rajasthan and a two-season stint with the Delhi Daredevils. But in 2018, the land where the academy was built ran out of groundwater, forcing them to shift base to Hathod.
The club's success has been built on a unique philosophy. Vivek believed that players from this region had to work harder than most to be noticed, largely because of Rajasthan's broken system and administrative issues. This philosophy has been maintained by Vikas, Vivek's younger brother, who has taken charge of the academy after his passing in 2021.
One of the key factors in the club's success is the long-distance travel of its players. Akash, Ashok, Kartik, and Mukul Choudhary all traveled from their respective villages to train at the club. This led to the construction of hostel rooms within the set-up, providing a place for players to rest after a hard day at training.
The club's success has also been built on the unique playing styles of its players. For example, Mukul Choudhary's focus was on hitting sixes, rather than playing along the ground. This led to the coaches being told not to tamper with his style, which has paid off.
The club's success has also been built on the support of its players' families. For example, Mukul Choudhary's father was very particular about his diet, so they rented an apartment of their own for the family to stay, so that Mukul didn't lack that emotional support and could fulfil his dietary needs.
The Aravali Cricket Club has become a pipeline to the IPL, with four of its players currently playing in the league. However, the club's focus is still on the age-groups, with around 250-300 kids training there. The club is expanding, with bamboo nets added to handle the load and the hostel expanding to accommodate more players.
The Aravali Cricket Club's story is a testament to the power of hard work, unique philosophies, and the support of families. It is a story that will continue to be written as more players emerge from the club's ranks and make their mark on the IPL.
