In Indian cricket, the path to success can often be unpredictable sometimes raw talent is enough, and other times, navigating the system becomes the real challenge. In this article, we will explore in what ways Delhi politics affected Priyansh Arya’s career.
Priyansh Arya is not your ordinary cricketer. In or out on a big stage, he’s known for his smart hitting and brave batting style. In the process of going into fame, He shot into the spotlight during the Delhi Premier League T20 by hitting six sixes in a single over, practically ensuring page space for him in every IPL scout’s register and fan’s imagination. He doesn’t have a cricket background or some power brokers backing him up-it’s all his bat that speaks. And it spoke loud enough that Punjab Kings drew in the figure of ₹3.8 crores in the IPL 2024 auction. Arya seemed to be well on his way to superstardom. But trouble brewed behind the scenes.
Priyansh Arya’s major downfall started weeks after the IPL contract in December 2024. He didn’t play well in some matches during an Under-23 tournament-ordinary down form that any young player goes through. But instead of getting any help or aid, he was close to being excluded from the Delhi squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Arya was reportedly so shocked and disappointed that he was about to pack his bags and leave the team hotel. Imagine: you’re 22 years old, at the beginning of something magnificent, and all of a sudden someone tells you, out of nowhere, you’re not good enough, without a second chance.
As luck, Arya was not entirely alone. Senior Delhi pacer Ishant Sharma and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley stepped in. They recognized the unfairness of the situation and ensured Arya stayed with the squad. Their intervention may have saved more than just a tour spot-it most probably kept his self-belief intact.
Former coach Dev Gandhi had been advocating Arya’s case for talent ages back, and so had the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting, who had personally GSTing model windowed because of the enormous potential displayed by the young batter. Unfortunately, some further internal politics have gone against him related to the Delhi selection system, which has a tradition of sidelining greenhorns for arbitrary reasons.
Priyansh Arya didn’t lash out or go on social media rants. He did what true athletes do he let his bat do the talking. In April 2025, he walked out to face Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, and what followed was nothing short of a statement. Arya smashed a breathtaking 103 off just 42 balls, lighting up the stadium with 9 sixes and 7 fours. It wasn’t just a century it was a message to every selector who doubted him: “You can’t ignore me now.”
It became the joint-fourth fastest century in IPL history, and fans, commentators, and critics alike were left in awe of this fearless, determined young man. Today, Arya continues to grow as a cricketer, but he carries with him the scars of a system that almost broke him. He’s a reminder that talent is everywhere, but without fair opportunities, potential can easily be lost. And while his sixes fly over the ropes, perhaps his most powerful shot is the one he played against Delhi cricket politics by surviving, thriving, and refusing to give up.
