Published: February 5, 2026 at 2:39 pm
When mentor VVS Laxman applauded and effusively smiled from the Indian under-19 dressing room, it was indeed an approval of his pupil, Aaron George, and an act of cherishing a highly satisfying moment. In fact, this gesture said it all.
Hyderabad’s latest talent Aaron George was on a song as he unleashed a stroke-filled 105-ball 115 (15×4, 2×6) in India’s record 311-run chase against Afghanistan in the Under-19 World Cup semifinals at Harare on Wednesday. The 19-year-old Hyderabad opener stole the thunder from other big names like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and skipper Ayush Mhatre.
Commentators during the live telecast on Wednesday went ga-ga over George’s cool temperament and shot selection. Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, who has an eye for young talent, even started comparing some of George’s shots to the legendary Virat Kohli. It had class written all over, particularly the wristy on-drive that gave George a well-deserved century. After the match, the International Cricket Conference (ICC) immediately posted videos of Kohli’s and George’s straight drives on Instagram. The Hyderabad opener had the shades of Kohli’s trademark straight drive shot. For sure, Kohli himself would have been very happy with George’s array of strokes, particularly the straight and on drives.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUXEgGWjkWQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
George joins the list of distinguished Indian Colts from Hyderabad, SL Venkatapathy Raju, Laxman, Ambati Rayudu, G Hanuma Vihari and Tilak Verma, who had impressive performances in the World Cup before making a giant stride into international cricket.
Despite the infighting, poor system and controversies in selection matters that pollutes the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), the city somehow produces gifted cricketers from time to time, be it Hanuma Vihari, Mohammed Siraj or Tilak Varma, who have gone on to make a mark in international cricket.
Aaron George with the members of his family. Pic: The Indian Express
George was a born cricketer, says father Easo
George was a born cricketer, according to his father Easo Varghese. “His love for the game started when his aunt’s (Shebah) in-laws gifted a plastic bat and ball. He was only four then. Believe it or not, even at that age he played straight and never across the line. He even broke the glass panes of the shoe rack,” said Varghese, who worked as a sub-inspector in Hyderabad Police till 1995 before joining the corporate sector.
Varghese feels his wife Preethi Varghese played a huge role in mentoring their son’s career from a young age. A MSc in mathematics, Preethi guided her son both in his cricketing journey as well as academics. Incidentally, George passed the 10th class examinations from DAV School, Safilguda, with 90 per cent marks and Intermediate with 85 per cent. “Even now, after every cricket season, he focuses on his books,” said Varghese. He is presently pursuing his studies at Bhavans College, Sainikpuri.
Varghese added that due credit should be given to Subhash Chander at DAV School. “He learnt the basics from Subhash from 2014 to 2017. I used to travel from Shamirpet to Safilguda to drop George and his sister Ananya Eliza Varghese to the school. He would train there from 5 am till the start of the school. Even in rain, he would go and practice with his coach. That was his passion and dedication. But in 2017, Subhash himself advised us to move George to a higher coaching centre,” Varghese said.
Believe it or not, even at the age of four, Aaron George played straight and never across the line, says his father Easo Varghese
Realising his son’s passion for the game, Varghese took him to Hyderabad Cricket Academy of Excellence (HCAE) at the Gymkhana in 2014. George was only eight years old, but he came to the notice of Biju Nair. However, when the HCAE closed in 2017, the Varghese family took George to Nair, who had retired from Services, at the VJ Academy in Tarnaka.
George was a very good learner: Nair
Recalling George’s journey to the top, Nair said there was a group of eight in that age category, but George was exceptional. “He was a very good learner. I remember explaining to him the finer points of batting. He would religiously note down all the points. He had 50 to 60 pages. In fact, sometimes when I used to forget what I had told him George would refer to those notes from his pages. He would look for improvement in his batting. I somehow felt that this boy was an exceptional talent, the way he moved around and conducted himself at the nets or the way he took the stance and the way he would play his strokes. He would always get upset when he played a wrong shot,’’ said Nair.
Even though he missed the Under-14 selections, George straightaway made a mark while playing for Hyderabad Under-16 team. “His intensity was at a different level. He scored a triple century also,” said Nair.
Varghese said George began to dominate the bowlers from junior cricket. “He was 16 and even got selected to the Hyderabad Under-19 team and was the highest run-getter in the 2023-24 season. He even led the Under-19 team. However, he was unlucky not be selected for the Indian Under-19 team as he was just 17 years.”
I somehow felt that Aaron George was an exceptional talent, the way he moved around and conducted himself at the nets or the way he took the stance and the way he would play his strokes. He would always get upset when he played a wrong shot,’’ said coach Biju Nair
George played a big role in Hyderabad’s Vinoo Mankad triumph this season
This year, George lead from the front as he skippered the Hyderabad Under-19 team. He played a major role in Hyderabad winning the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. He had the highest strike-rate of 145 with two centuries and two half-centuries. Hyderabad Under-19 coach B Sandeep said he was not surprised with George’s show at the ongoing World Cup.
“He has a clear mind, and his match preparation is different from other players. That intensity is amazing and his goal is to represent the country. I could see his hunger for success at the one-on-one chats during the Vinoo Mankad tournament. He excelled as a good leader. He plays close to his body and plays very late. He generates good power in his strokes and that is the reason he strikes a good number of boundaries in the power play. His timing is awesome. Let us be honest, he dreams big. That comes with hard work at the nets. He is on the right track and I’m sure this 115 would take him places,’’ said Sandeep.
Incidentally, keeping his focus on big-time cricket, George joined R Sridhar’s Coaching Beyond last season. “He had many one-on-one sessions with Sridhar,” said Varghese. Sridhar, the former Indian fielding coach, would have been following George’s fortunes from Colombo. Sridhar is presently the fielding coach of the Sri Lanka team for the T20 World Cup.
Former Hyderabad wicketkeeper Kola Sumanth, who is a coach at Coaching Beyond, admired George’s patience and hard work. “He came to this camp after a poor streak with the bat in the previous season. When he came here to train with Sridhar sir, I could see that determination. He wanted to be an aggressive batter. He would work diligently for hours together while playing the strokes. His shot selection is something to be admired,” said Sumanth.
