Priestly Aaron looks to preside over Hyd cricket by raising the bar of consistency

Wielding the willow with wristy wizardry is Aaron George’s trademark and the mastery over a range of strokes was evident during his century knock in the semifinal of the Under-19 World Cup. Back in the city, after helping India’s win their sixth title in Harare, Aaron, the latest batting sensation from the City of Nawabs, has different desires and ambitions now.  He looks to work on his consistency and wants to set higher goals for himself.

“It was indeed a great moment for me to cherish as I not only played in the World Cup but won it too.  It is a once in a lifetime experience,’’ said Aaron.

Aaron became an overnight national hero when he played that memorable knock in the semifinals against Afghanistan notching up a 105-ball 115 (15×4, 2×6) in the 311-run chase. “Chasing a 300-odd target itself was a challenging one against Afghanistan in the semifinals. It was a high-pressure match, and it was left to one of the batters to stay till the end. I was lucky enough to do that and win the match for the team,” he said.

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Aaron’s shot-making clearly had shades of Virat Kohli’s elegance, and the Hyderabadi batter was happy that he was being compared with the legendary cricketer. Aaron said that this was possible because of his strong basics. “As a player, one should always stick to the basics. We all know how good Kohli is and the way he executes his shots. I was closer to the basics and it made my shots resemble to Kohli’s shot making. I am not only a fan of Kohli but also of the Indian batting unit. They bat so fearlessly,” he said.

Aaron George on his arrival from Harare at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad

Vaibhav has a different mind-set, says Aaron

Although he could not contribute much in the final against England, he said he was fortunate to watch an exceptional innings by Vaibhav Suryavanshi.  “Our goal was to win the World Cup. He was exceptional. He likes to go after the ball. He has a different mind-set. The number of balls he plays and scores off every delivery, it is better for the team. He was in that zone that day and he made it big,” Aaron said with a tinge of pride on his teammate’s achievements.

He said the team members danced a lot in the hotel after the final. “We had a lot of sweets after the final. Once back in the hotel, we danced a lot.’’

Fellow Hyderabad and Indian batting legend VVS Laxman’s presence as a mentor made a big difference in the team. “VVS sir spoke mostly about the mental setup of the game and his presence itself was a big boost to the team. We have admired him a lot. We have seen and heard some of his greatest knocks. He was very helpful to all the members of the team,’’ he said.

Aaron added that his preparations for the World Cup started a year back. “I always knew if I do well for Hyderabad I would be selected to the under-19 Indian team. Mentally, I was ready to take up any challenges. I do a lot of mental preparations like visualizing the match or my shots. That worked out nicely for me in my preparations for the World Cup,” he said.

The young opener’s passion for the game started at the age of four. “As a kid I was always fascinated by the game. I remember my long car journeys (from Shamirpet to Safilguda). It used to take at least 45 minutes to one hour to reach the DAV Public School. As I had to be at the camp by 6 am, I used to wake up by 4:00 am and my parents would wake up by 3:30 am. My sister (Ananya) would also come with me and bring her books. She would study at the Academy when I was practicing at the nets. She would also encourage me. My mother (Preethi) and father (Easo Varghese) would ensure that I would get the best comforts,” Aaron shared. “When I see my pictures of me batting in a cricket attire at the age of four years, it was simpler then. I enjoyed doing that. As a kid, you will be happy to do that.’’

Aaron George with the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. In its entire existence, Hyderabad had won only two domestic titles Ranji Trophy triumphs in 1937-38 and 1986-87. After 38 years, another piece of silverware, the coveted Vinoo Mankad Trophy, was added to the trophy cabinet by a sprightly group of youngsters Aaron George Varghese

Aaron owes a lot to first coach Subhash Chander

He had no hesitation in saying that his first coach Subhash Chander played a huge role at the start of his career. “I owe a lot to him. He was one of the hard-working coaches. He used to work a lot on my technique and basics. He was a disciplinarian and that was very good for me. In tough conditions, he would keep me motivated.”

According to George, his next coach Biju Nair further worked on his technique.  “Biju sir has a vast knowledge about the game. He would explain in detail about the technique, and I thought the best way was to take notes after my batting session at home. I would note down all the points he said. I continue to do that even now. It helps me a lot. It is always nice to keep these notes as I can see my mistakes and rectify them, particularly the pattern of dismissals. Sometimes a lot of things go around your mind, and this could help in analyzing your game.’’

Unbeaten 303 at the Under-16 level boosted Aaron’s confidence

Aaron’s first big knock came in the Under-16 tournament when he slammed a record 303 not out against Bihar. “It was the highest score for Hyderabad in Under-16. I was also leading the Hyderabad team that year. As a captain, it helps me in understanding the game and situation. That 303 gave me the necessary confidence to play in the next level,” he said with all modesty of a teenager.

The young batter said he always loved challenges. “I hate to lose and when you are winning a game, you start enjoying the captaincy. Even as a fielder, I was always involved in the game and try to understand what to do and what not to do on the ground.”

One of the highlights of Aaron’s nascent career was when he led Hyderabad to triumph in the Under-19 the Vinoo Mankad Trophy earlier this season. “It was one of my best memories. Winning a national tournament for Hyderabad after 37 years and ending the drought gave me a lot of satisfaction as a captain. It means a lot to me and to the team. We had a good bonding and team spirit. I got runs also (two centuries and two half centuries).”

Aaron’s next goal obviously is to play for the Hyderabad and Indian senior teams. “I want to work on my consistency. I would like to translate my hard work more productively.”