'He was streets ahead': UAE's Vriitya Aravind backed to shine at T20 World Cup

When the UAE get their T20 World Cup campaign underway against the Netherlands on Sunday, support for them in the stands at Kardinia Park in Geelong might be sparse.

Yet the reach of the team’s support is undoubtedly global. Friends and family from back home in the UAE will be glued to the Starzplay livestream, as will many more at various points around the subcontinent.

And, in the case of Vriitya Aravind, he will be being cheered on from the other side of the world entirely.

The 20-year-old wicketkeeper, who is one of the brightest young talents in cricket beyond the sport’s mainstream nations, attends university in the UK.

In the course of his criminology and psychology degree studies, he has played for the Loughborough University side, as well as as an overseas player for Walsall Cricket Club.

The amiable student has made many friends in the process. Each expects him to thrive on the big stage in Australia.

“Just before he was leaving us he said, ‘What league can I go and play in where I will find bouncy pitches with lots of pace and carry?’,” said Dan Betty, who captained Aravind at Walsall.

“That was weird for us as club cricketers. We told him he would have to keep playing international cricket – probably the World Cup is a good setting.

“I really think he will relish that opportunity. The thing that is so easy to forget with him is that he is still only 20. I will be watching every game that he plays. He made a lot of good friends over here.

“A lot of the boys will be watching his games as he made a really big impact on everyone. He was a joy to be around.”

UAE international Vriitya Aravind combines playing with studies in the UK. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Aravind lived with Betty for four weeks after