New Delhi : India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has tipped Priyansh Arya as a future star, saying the Punjab Kings batter is “a step ahead” of emerging youngsters Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the current Indian Premier League season.
Arya has impressed with a series of explosive knocks, including a 37-ball 93 against Lucknow Super Giants, underlining his growing reputation as a match-winner for Punjab Kings.
“I am not trying to put anyone above or below anyone, but Priyansh Arya, to me, looks a step ahead even of Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “He goes on to make big scores and has a wider range of shots.”
The 24-year-old has built on a strong debut campaign last season, where he scored 475 runs, and has continued his rich form this year with 211 runs in five matches at an average above 40 and a strike rate exceeding 248.
Arya’s recent scores of 39 off 11 balls, 57 off 20 and 93 off 37 have highlighted his consistency as well as his ability to dominate attacks.
Meanwhile, Mhatre’s campaign has been cut short after the Chennai Super Kings batter was ruled out with a hamstring injury. He had scored 201 runs in six innings at a strike rate close to 178.
Sooryavanshi has also impressed, amassing 246 runs in six matches to remain among the tournament’s leading performers, but Ashwin believes Arya’s ability to convert starts into big innings gives him the edge.
