'I am thinking of making more centuries': Former U-19 player trained by Gautam Gambhir's childhood coach after becoming DPL's first centurion

South Delhi Superstarz opener Priyansh Arya played a belligerent knock of 107 not out against Purani Delhi 6 on August 26. Arya became the first centurion of Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024. As Arya continued his big-hitting spree in the ongoing tournament, he said that he wanted to score the first century as the batter is remembered forever.
 

"Feels really good because the first player who scores a century in a new league is remembered forever, I am thinking of making more centuries," Arya told reporters after the DPL fixture as quoted by PTI. 
 

"In the beginning, it felt difficult, the more I stayed at the crease the more I could contribute to myself and the team, I was just thinking to play all 20 overs," he added.
 

Arya was happy with carrying his bat through the innings. He hit nine fours and seven sixes in his 55-ball 107 to help South Delhi Superstarz post a mammoth total of 235/3. 
 

"I was thinking I should play all 20 overs I was getting out earlier in previous matches, I wanted to carry the team with my strength," the 23-year-old said. 

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Arya said that he has trained under Gautam Gambhir's childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj who calls him every day to talk about his game.
 

"I have had one coach since childhood, Sanjay Bhardwaj sir, he talks to me every day as to how to play my game and go about my routine," he said. 

 

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Sarthak’s numbers in DPL 2024

The youngster revealed that pull shot is the favourite shot available in his armoury along with the one over the covers. He is currently the highest run-scorer of the tournament with 344 runs from five innings at an average of 86 including three fifties. His strike rate is 177.32. He is well ahead of the second-placed Ayush Badoni who has scored 244 runs from five innings including three half-centuries.
 

On August 26, Arya got support from Sarthak Ray who missed his fifty by just one run. Later, Badoni scored a 20-ball 56 laced with six sixes whereas wicketkeeper-batter Tejasvi contributed with an eight-ball 18 cameo. South Delhi Superstarz won the game by a big margin of 88 runs. Superstarz are currently second on the points table with four wins from five games.
 

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