[ad_1]
Around 7am on Wednesday morning, Punjab Kings (PBKS) opener Priyansh Arya called up his childhood coach Sanjay Bharadwaj, hoping for compliments for his audacious 39-ball century against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, he was in for a surprise as the coach stuck to his usual self.
“He asked me, ‘Sir, theek tha? (Was it good?)’ I shouted back and asked, ‘kya theek tha? (What was good?), you have done well in one match, don’t get carried away,'” says Bharadwaj.
The conversation didn’t stop there but became a one-way street as Priyansh could only respond with just “yes sir”, “no sir” for the next ten minutes. Bharadwaj, one of the doyens of the domestic circuit who has shaped careers of Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, Joginder Sharma, Nitish Rana and Unmukt Chand, revealed the message he gave to his ward after the maiden IPL hundred.
“I told him this morning, ‘Priyansh, agar tu sirf haath se khelega fir tu mazdoor rahega, agar tu haath aur dimaag se khelega fir toh ek kaarigar banega, aur jab tu haath aur dimaag ke saath saath jigre ke saath khelega tab tu asli kalakaar banega (Priyansh, if you play only with your hands, you will remain a labourer, like any normal cricketer. If you use your brain and hands, you will become an artisan, and the day you play with heart, using both your brain and hands, you will become a true artist),'” says Bharadwaj.
Fireworks were on display at the New PCA Cricket Stadium on Tuesday as the southpaw smashed nine sixes and hit seven boundaries during his 42-ball 103. For those who have followed his career from age-group days in Delhi, the approach isn’t a surprise as that’s the only way he knows to bat. The coach aptly sums it up as “see the ball, hit the ball”.
“It’s just see-the-ball, hit-the-ball. If you give him any width, he will punish you. Only Khaleel (Ahmed) was getting some help from the surface, but he wasn’t able to control it, and Priyansh made the most of it,” said Bharadwaj on Priyansh’s approach.
The GG touch!
Growing up, Arya was fortunate to see current India head coach and former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir train from close quarters at his academy. The youngster had once revealed how he never got the guts to speak to his hero but remained around him, watched his batting in the nets and was even part of the Delhi Ranji Trophy probables during Gambhir’s last season.
Priyansh’s father, Pawan Arya, a school teacher at Delhi’s Government Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Lancer Road, near Vishwavidyalaya metro station, explained how Gambhir’s mentorship has helped his son grow.
“Gautam has backed him since he scored 271 runs in an U-19 match. He has guided him in the last six-seven years. He has asked him to play as much as he can. He insisted he play in the Delhi League and the Hot Weather Tournament. It has helped Priyansh,” says Pawan Arya.
Bharadwaj further explained what impressed Gambhir the most about Priyansh Arya. “Gambhir is sold on a player if he has an attitude. He doesn’t believe in talent alone. He sees the intent. Even in Delhi cricket, over the years, he has backed Unmukt Chand, Navdeep Saini, Ayush Badoni, and Nitish Rana,” he added.
Priyansh, agar tu sirf haath se khelega fir tu mazdoor rahega, agar tu haath aur dimaag se khelega fir toh ek kaarigar banega, aur jab tu haath aur dimaag ke saath saath jigre ke saath khelega tab tu asli kalakaar banega
Sanjay Bhardwaj, coach
Gambhir is big on attitude and intent, and that’s the prime reason why the likes of Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy were fast-tracked into the Indian set-up and went on to make their Test debuts during the tour Down Under.
Meanwhile, at the Arya’s in Ashok Vihar, New Delhi, Pawan had to take a day off from work as he was busy attending guests. The plan for remainder of the week is simple – sit at home and watch the IPL.
“I was so excited to see him play live in the IPL for the first time. Against Rajasthan Royals, I went to Chandigarh to watch him play, and he got out on the first ball for a duck. Yesterday, I was watching the match at home, and he scored a century. I guess I am the bad luck. Now I have decided I will never go and watch his games live,” said Pawan with a laugh.
Priyansh’s dream is to play for India. This is where his father, his coach, and his mentor wants to see him. It’s a long road but the youngster is moving in the right direction, and has an able support system, led by a hard taskmaster coach. It’s just the start of runs and tons for the promising left-hander, and certainly not the end of Bharadwaj’s epic one-liners.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.
[ad_2]
Source link
About the author
When a Monument Cries for Help — A Citizen’s Appeal from village Masjid moth, South Extension–II
When a Monument Cries for Help — A Citizen’s Appeal from Village Masjid Moth, South Extension–II South Extension–II is known as one of Delhi’s most premium localities — a place associated with culture, history, prosperity, and civic pride. But today, standing next to the historic Masjid Moth monument in Village Masjid Moth, the reality on the ground is heartbreaking, disturbing, and deeply shameful. Just a few days ago, a local resident posted a reel on Instagram showing a film shoot taking place at Masjid Moth. Like him, many young people from this area dream of seeing this monument revived — used respectfully for art, cinema, culture, photography, and tourism. Yet the truth is that the Archaeological Department and civic authorities have completely abandoned it. ▶ View Instagram Reel A Monument Surrounded by Filth and Neglect Garbage carts overflowing with waste […]
Designing Thug Life: Amritha Ram on Styling Kamal Haasan
Costume design in Indian cinema often dances between fantasy and realism. But in Thug Life, Amritha Ram collaborates with cinematic icons Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam to craft a fashion-forward yet character-driven wardrobe that breaks norms. In an exclusive with ETimes, Amritha reveals how meticulous planning, storytelling, and visual language drove her designs. Tip 1: Collaboration Is the Key to Vision When asked what excited her most about working on Thug Life, Amritha simply said, “Two names: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam.” The sheer reputation of these legends shaped her approach. Mani Ratnam was clear about the film’s visual tone—stripping away Bollywood glamor for something minimalistic yet powerful. “Mani sir guided me all the way. He knew exactly what he wanted,” she shared. Working with Kamal, who understands fabric, dyeing, and even costume history, was a learning curve. His feedback […]
If It Happened There: Donald Trump sends central troops to quell protests in opposition-ruled California | World News
[ad_1] Protesters confront police on the 101 Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night's immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Note: The following piece is inspired by Joshua Keating’s If It Happened There which uses tropes and tones normally used by American media to describe events in other countries. The facts presented deal with as much exactitude and accuracy as an American media outlets’ reporting about a foreign country.Los Angeles, Mexican for the city of angels, is home to Hollywood – America’s answer to Bollywood – and a city where starstruck aspirants come with the dream of being immortalised on the silver screen. Yet, the city, which falls under America-administered California, an opposition state which overwhelmingly voted for Mr Donald Trump’s rival from the Democratic Party, Ms Kamala Harris, […]
Apple prepares for new ‘Games’ app as domain goes live ahead of WWDC 2025 keynote
[ad_1] Apple is expected to launch iOS 19 (or rumoured iOS 26) and one of new features that is reported to come is a new Apple Games app. Apple appears to be laying the groundwork for this new application, which is said to curate games from the App Store and Apple Arcade, as a domain purportedly leading to the platform has gone live.As per a report by 9to5mac, the company's new games.apple.com domain has just gone live. However, it is currently displaying a blank page, signaling imminent content.This shift from a "Safari Can’t Find The Server" error message to a blank white page strongly suggests Apple is preparing to push content to the URL very soon, potentially coinciding with the conclusion of the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote.What Apple’s new Games app is all aboutWhile the exact function of the […]
MS Dhoni inducted into ICC Hall of Fame | Cricket News
[ad_1] MS Dhoni, former India cricket captain, has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, recognizing his extraordinary career spanning 16 years with 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India. The wicketkeeper-batsman revolutionized the sport through his unique playing style, tactical leadership and achievements including winning all three ICC men's white-ball titles as captain. "It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world. To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever," Dhoni said about his induction. Dhoni's journey began in 2004 when he made his ODI debut. Though he was dismissed for a duck in his first match, he soon announced his […]
160-million-year-old blue-stain fungi in China found to be harmful to trees |
[ad_1] In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered 160-million-year-old blue-stain fungi fossils from the Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation in China. The new findings offer fresh insights into the ecological relationships between blue-stain fungi, plants, and insects during the Jurassic period. These fungi are generally nonfatal to their hosts but often accelerate tree mortality when associated with wood-boring insects.According to ScienceDaily, a Chinese team of scientists highlights the discovery of well-preserved blue-stain fungal hyphae within Jurassic fossil wood from northeastern China, pushing back the earliest known fossil record of this fungal group by approximately 80 million years.Know about the blue-stain fungi, deadly to treesBlue-stain fungi are known for their ability to colonize wood, particularly in conifer trees, causing characteristic discoloration in the sapwood. While these fungi do not decompose wood, they often cause considerable damage when associated with wood-boring insects. Their role […]
Related
DJ in the Sky: How a Viral Paragliding Performance Put Bir on the Map
A young DJ recently strapped on not just a harness but also a sound system, delivering a live set while paragliding at 10,000 feet over Bir, Himachal Pradesh. The video spread like wildfire across Instagram, YouTube, and X, garnering millions of views. It was more than a stunt — it was a perfect blend of adventure, creativity, and digital shareability. Why it clicked Novelty factor: Music + extreme sports = instant attention. Visual spectacle: The Himalayas in the background amplified the drama. Social-first content: The clip was optimized for vertical viewing, helping it trend on Reels and Shorts. Cultural meaning The performance wasn’t just a viral gimmick. It symbolized the fusion of youth culture — music festivals, influencer-driven experiences, and India’s booming adventure travel scene. Bir, already known as the paragliding capital of India, is now a global talking point. […]
Designing Thug Life: Amritha Ram on Styling Kamal Haasan
Costume design in Indian cinema often dances between fantasy and realism. But in Thug Life, Amritha Ram collaborates with cinematic icons Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam to craft a fashion-forward yet character-driven wardrobe that breaks norms. In an exclusive with ETimes, Amritha reveals how meticulous planning, storytelling, and visual language drove her designs. Tip 1: Collaboration Is the Key to Vision When asked what excited her most about working on Thug Life, Amritha simply said, “Two names: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam.” The sheer reputation of these legends shaped her approach. Mani Ratnam was clear about the film’s visual tone—stripping away Bollywood glamor for something minimalistic yet powerful. “Mani sir guided me all the way. He knew exactly what he wanted,” she shared. Working with Kamal, who understands fabric, dyeing, and even costume history, was a learning curve. His feedback […]
If It Happened There: Donald Trump sends central troops to quell protests in opposition-ruled California | World News
[ad_1] Protesters confront police on the 101 Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night's immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Note: The following piece is inspired by Joshua Keating’s If It Happened There which uses tropes and tones normally used by American media to describe events in other countries. The facts presented deal with as much exactitude and accuracy as an American media outlets’ reporting about a foreign country.Los Angeles, Mexican for the city of angels, is home to Hollywood – America’s answer to Bollywood – and a city where starstruck aspirants come with the dream of being immortalised on the silver screen. Yet, the city, which falls under America-administered California, an opposition state which overwhelmingly voted for Mr Donald Trump’s rival from the Democratic Party, Ms Kamala Harris, […]
Apple prepares for new ‘Games’ app as domain goes live ahead of WWDC 2025 keynote
[ad_1] Apple is expected to launch iOS 19 (or rumoured iOS 26) and one of new features that is reported to come is a new Apple Games app. Apple appears to be laying the groundwork for this new application, which is said to curate games from the App Store and Apple Arcade, as a domain purportedly leading to the platform has gone live.As per a report by 9to5mac, the company's new games.apple.com domain has just gone live. However, it is currently displaying a blank page, signaling imminent content.This shift from a "Safari Can’t Find The Server" error message to a blank white page strongly suggests Apple is preparing to push content to the URL very soon, potentially coinciding with the conclusion of the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote.What Apple’s new Games app is all aboutWhile the exact function of the […]
MS Dhoni inducted into ICC Hall of Fame | Cricket News
[ad_1] MS Dhoni, former India cricket captain, has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, recognizing his extraordinary career spanning 16 years with 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India. The wicketkeeper-batsman revolutionized the sport through his unique playing style, tactical leadership and achievements including winning all three ICC men's white-ball titles as captain. "It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world. To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever," Dhoni said about his induction. Dhoni's journey began in 2004 when he made his ODI debut. Though he was dismissed for a duck in his first match, he soon announced his […]
160-million-year-old blue-stain fungi in China found to be harmful to trees |
[ad_1] In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered 160-million-year-old blue-stain fungi fossils from the Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation in China. The new findings offer fresh insights into the ecological relationships between blue-stain fungi, plants, and insects during the Jurassic period. These fungi are generally nonfatal to their hosts but often accelerate tree mortality when associated with wood-boring insects.According to ScienceDaily, a Chinese team of scientists highlights the discovery of well-preserved blue-stain fungal hyphae within Jurassic fossil wood from northeastern China, pushing back the earliest known fossil record of this fungal group by approximately 80 million years.Know about the blue-stain fungi, deadly to treesBlue-stain fungi are known for their ability to colonize wood, particularly in conifer trees, causing characteristic discoloration in the sapwood. While these fungi do not decompose wood, they often cause considerable damage when associated with wood-boring insects. Their role […]
Be the first to leave a comment