With 100 international caps, Chennai-born Vriitya Aravind, a rising name in UAE cricket

Abu Dhabi T10 League franchise Chennai Braves' Vriitya Aravind moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when he was 6 years old with his father, who works as an electrical engineer at DEWA - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. While back in Chennai, Vriitya was too young to understand cricket, but he would rather spend his time playing tennis at his school. "I was introduced to every sport but cricket by my parents when I was in Chennai. I only gained interest in cricket after I moved to the UAE," the 21-year-old says.

As a child, Vriitya would often visit Chennai to spend time with his family. Roaming around Marina Beach, and going out for family lunch and dinner remain some of his favourite memories from home. But India's 2011 ICC Men's World Cup victory was a life-changing moment for Vriitya.

"In 2011, when India won the World Cup, I was there for summer vacations. After India won, I went out on the streets to celebrate with the people. That moment instilled cricket in me. My dad was always a cricket fan but I think it was the first time I watched cricket and I decided to pursue the sport," he says.

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Vriitya enrolled himself in a cricket club in UAE to pursue his dream. In his Under-11s club, there was a shortage of a wicketkeeper. His team was impressed with his fielding and asked him to don the gloves. Thus began the journey of the accidental wicketkeeper. "My team said put on the gloves and start keeping and I have been doing that ever since," he says.

Since making his debut for UAE in a T20 match against the USA at Sharjah on December 9th, 2019, Vriitya has played 55 ODIs and 45 T20Is for UAE. In his short career, the wicketkeeper-batter has already stacked 2 ODI centuries and 5 T20I fifties. He believes that with Abu Dhabi T10 League and other prominent cricket leagues giving opportunities to UAE cricketers, the region has been developing in the sport over the past few years.

"Here in Abu Dhabi T10, we are getting a chance to rub shoulders with the best of the players in the world. It gives us great confidence when we compete with them. As we have seen, UAE has been performing well in the past 6-7 months. We defeated New Zealand as well. These tournaments give us good exposure and we are now ready to perform big teams on international platforms," he says.

Currently showcasing his talent for the Chennai Braves in the ongoing Abu Dhabi T10, Vriitya is pleased to represent his hometown. "It's a great feeling to play for the team I was born in. Playing for Chennai Braves is a dream come true because I get to represent my hometown of Chennai."

Apart from cricket, Vriitya is also pursuing his studies in Psychology and Criminology at Loughborough University in England, while also playing cricket in the UK for a club in Birmingham. "It's winter in England right now, which is why I can come here to play cricket in Abu Dhabi. Or else I would have to be there and appear for my examinations," he laughs.

But because of his cricket and academic schedule, Vriitya has been unable to visit Chennai for the past five years and is eager to visit home. "South Indian food is comfort food for me. Whenever I return home from England, my mother makes Rasam and Chicken which is an absolute pleasure. I am eager to visit Chennai again, but I do not want to go just for 3-4 days. I want to spend a long time there; hence I am waiting for my opportunity to visit my hometown once again. Hopefully, I could do so once my studies are over," he signs off.