Aman Rao's Inspiring Journey from Wisconsin to Indian Cricket Stardom

Aman Rao's Remarkable Rise in Domestic Cricket

Hyderabad's Aman Rao has gained significant attention following his outstanding performance, scoring an impressive 200* against Bengal in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT). This achievement marks a pivotal moment in his cricketing career, as he transitions from being an American citizen born in Wisconsin to making a name for himself in Indian domestic cricket. His remarkable innings included 12 fours and 13 sixes, showcasing his talent against a formidable bowling lineup featuring Mohammed Shami and others. With this feat, he joins the ranks of notable players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, becoming the first player from Hyderabad to achieve a double century in VHT.

Previously, Aman participated in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he accumulated 234 runs in 10 innings, averaging 26.00 with a strike rate of 163.63, including a half-century against Mumbai.

From Wisconsin to Hyderabad: A Journey of Determination

Aman's journey to success was not without challenges. Born in Wisconsin, he was an American citizen by birth and had to wait for his Indian citizenship paperwork to be finalized, which arrived just two days before the tournament commenced. He made his T20 debut for Hyderabad against Mizoram in December 2024, scoring an impressive 67* on his debut. His talent caught the eye of Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Kumar Sangakkara, leading to his acquisition by the IPL team for Rs 30 lakh.

Aman moved to India at six months old when his parents returned to their homeland. He attended St John's Academy, which has produced cricketing legends like VVS Laxman and Mithali Raj. Despite facing struggles in age-group cricket, this season has already etched his name in history.

Recognition from a Cricket Legend

His remarkable double century against a strong Bengal bowling attack drew praise from Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin, who remarked that RR had found a gem in him. Ashwin highlighted Aman's incredible acceleration, noting that he scored his first 100 runs in 108 balls and the next 100 in just 46 deliveries. Despite the newfound attention, Aman remains grounded, stating, "I try not to let it get to my head. Attention can be there today and gone tomorrow." He emphasizes the importance of humility and staying focused on his game.

Support from Fellow Cricketer Tilak Varma

After facing a slump in form, Aman sought guidance from fellow Hyderabadi cricketer Tilak Varma, who has recently made strides in T20Is. Aman shared, "Tilak was in Australia with the T20I team, but it was nice of him to give me that time. I was not getting runs but doing everything I could. I wanted a different perspective, so I messaged him. He took time out and spoke to me of his experiences with failure, which was very comforting."

In the Under-23 men's elite trophy, Aman bounced back, scoring 381 runs in six innings at an average of 63.50, including a century and three fifties.

Transitioning to an Opener

Aman has thrived as an opener, a role he initially found intimidating. He recalled, "When I scored my first century as a nine-year-old, I gained the confidence to face the new ball. I have been an opener since."

Overcoming U-19 Disappointments

Reflecting on his U-19 journey, Aman expressed disappointment over not performing as expected. He captained the Under-16 team to the semi-finals but faced setbacks during his U-19 career. He stated, "My coaches told me that even if this did not happen, something bigger might be waiting, and that I should just keep working."

Despite the challenges, he remained committed to his practice, stating, "The day I was not selected, I went straight to practice. I did not take a break. I just trusted the process."

Future Aspirations

With a renewed focus, Aman aims to capitalize on every opportunity in white-ball cricket for Hyderabad and hopes to make his Ranji Trophy debut soon. He concluded, "If I am lucky, hopefully a Ranji Trophy debut."