Aggressor Or Accumulator? Priyansh Arya Grappled With Perplexity As Kings Take On Knights

Priyansh Arya's runs have dried up [Source: AP]

Hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Priyansh Arya has never looked back since grabbing the headlines for his blitzkreig in the Delhi Premier League. Six sixes in an over; a feat that clubbed him together with the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Hershelle Gibbs, instantly threw him into the spotlight, showcasing the sheer carnage he was capable of. 

But little did everyone knew that it was only a glimpse of the immense potential the pocket dynamite had at that time. A destroyer by nature, Priyansh Arya's first major assignment at the senior level came in Punjab Kings' colours when he faced the spirited Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium. 

A Hundred That Sealed Priyansh's Place

Priyansh Arya's signing for an amount of 3.8 Crores was certainly based on his exploits in the DPL. However, the Punjab Kings management must be credited for their gutsy move to unleash the southpaw straightaway in their tournament opener. 

Was it experimental? The answer is debatable and we leave it up to you. But it undoubtedly could've gone either way, as it was a punt; or rather we say a hit-or-miss move. 

However, the early promises that everyone witnessed in the DPL transformed into a mini-storm that rocked the mighty Titans early: a blistering 47 off just 23 balls. 

Three games later, he smashed his first-ever ton in the IPL, becoming one of the youngest players to do so. That knock not only highlighted the magnitude of destruction that the kid was capable of but also fit him nicely into the Kings' lineup- a move that people initially termed a punt was being hailed as a masterstroke. 

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Tale Of Promising Starts With Meagre Returns

(Priyansh Arya's stats after the majestic 100)

However, what followed next was certainly not up to the standards that Priyansh Arya had set for himself. 36 off 13, 22 off 12, 16 off 11 and 22 off 15; a string of brisk starts that couldn't be converted into significant scores. 

He looked sublime until he fell prey to a reckless shot. And with each failure, he received a thousand suggestions to modify his style of play- something every Indian cricket geek is literally expert at. 

Can A Change Of Approach Work Wonders?

An elite pace-hitter, Priyansh Arya has been able to instil fear in the bowlers, courtesy of his attacking style. He is one of the finest exploiters of the powerplay field restrictions, and with his ability to hit the ball on the up, he poses a serious threat to any bowler that pitches the ball up.

Added to that, every player has a certain role to play in a T20 team. It's Priyansh Arya's job to help PBKS get off to a flier; so if he starts thinking twice before playing a shot, the Kings will ultimately be at the receiving end. 

Having said that, if he holds himself back in the powerplay, the spinners could emerge as his nemesis in the middle overs. 133 T20 runs at an average of 14.8; there's a room for improvement when it comes to his spin prowess. 

So, ideally, he should remain unperturbed by the outside noise and focus on tormenting the opposition, a trait that has made him an overnight sensation in the IPL. 

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