LUCKNOW: While teenage sensations across India are being celebrated for their fast-rising talent on big stages, a quieter cricket story is unfolding in Saharanpur—away from floodlights and matchday hype. Arnav’s path into the sport has been shaped less by easy access and more by determination, especially through a remarkable daily partnership with his mother, Kusum Lata, who uses a wheelchair. With his father battling paralysis early on, the odds were stacked from the start, yet the family turned a modest home into a training ground and built momentum step by step.
Key takeaways
- Arnav’s cricket development is driven by consistent practice inside his home, with a makeshift net set up in a narrow corridor.
- His mother, Kusum Lata, bowls to him every day as his first coach, using her wheelchair as part of their routine.
- After his father’s health forced a dairy business to shut, Arnav’s elder brother took up work to support the family and fund his training.
- Arnav played a decisive role for Uttar Pradesh in the Under-14 Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy in January, including a top score of 48.
- His Under-14 success was followed by team recognition in Delhi involving BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.
- He has also been listed as having appeared in Under-16 trials as he looks to progress further.
A home-made training ground and an unwavering coaching bond
The inspiration behind Arnav’s routine runs deeper than technique. Inside their modest residence in Punjabi Bagh, a tight space has been converted into a practice setup. At one end of the makeshift arrangement, Arnav trains—working on his timing and shot-making with the intensity of someone chasing a long-term dream. At the other end, seated in her wheelchair, Kusum Lata serves as his bowling partner and first coach, guiding his development through steady, committed sessions.
What makes their arrangement stand out is its consistency. Kusum bowls to him daily, described not as a matter of convenience, but as an act of dedication. The daily practice becomes a two-way learning process: Arnav brings his requests about how he wants deliveries shaped, while Kusum studies the game to keep improving her own understanding of bowling variations and length.
Adversity shaping the journey
Arnav’s motivation traces back to childhood, but financial challenges threatened to limit what he could pursue. He has spoken about how his passion for cricket remained strong even when his family’s situation was not. His father, who previously ran a small dairy business, had to shut operations after paralysis disrupted his ability to work. With household responsibilities increasing, Arnav’s elder brother stepped away from his own cricketing ambitions and took up a job to support the family, including meeting Arnav’s cricket-related expenses.
As structured training access was limited at the start, Kusum also filled the gap with a learner’s mindset. She has explained that when her child asks her to bowl in a particular way, she watches matches to understand how to improve—paying attention to variations and working to maintain a good length so that his practice becomes more effective. Her preparation extends beyond real matches, with studying of bowlers through television and mobile screens, absorbing methods and applying them during their home sessions.
In Kusum’s view, Arnav’s dedication made her want to do more. The decision to stay fully involved in his growth is rooted in a belief that he should have the chance to move forward. That backing is mirrored in Arnav’s own aspirations, as he draws inspiration from cricketing icons such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, whose posters are visible on his walls.
Arnav has said he wants to play the way Kohli and Sharma do, adding that he particularly likes their shots. For him, the dream is not only to play but to represent India one day—an objective that gives purpose to every session in their narrow corridor net.
Academy support and a breakthrough in Under-14 cricket
While the foundation was laid at home, Arnav’s talent was also noticed in formal coaching. At Nalanda Cricket Academy, coaches Vikrant and Vivek Sharma recognized his potential early and helped guide him as he worked to progress. Further support came from the Saharanpur Cricket Association chairman, Akram Saifi, who backed his development and helped him climb the ranks steadily.
His breakthrough arrived in January, when he played a key role in Uttar Pradesh’s triumph at the Under-14 Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy. Across five matches, Arnav scored 166 runs, with his highest score reaching 48—an impact that signaled his readiness for higher levels of competition.
Following the tournament success, the entire Uttar Pradesh Under-14 team was felicitated in Delhi by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla. The recognition marked another meaningful milestone in Arnav’s journey, placing his Under-14 achievements on a wider platform.
Next steps: Under-16 trials
With his Under-14 progress setting the stage, Arnav has also appeared in Under-16 trials. The move reflects a continued push to develop his game and test his skills against stronger competition as he aims to keep climbing the pathway toward bigger cricketing opportunities.
