Aman Rao's Inspiring Journey: From American Roots to Cricket Stardom
Aman Rao's Remarkable Rise in Domestic Cricket
New Delhi, January 8: Hyderabad's Aman Rao, who gained attention for his outstanding 200* against Bengal in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT), shared insights about his journey from being born in Wisconsin, USA, to making a significant impact in domestic cricket with Hyderabad. He also received recognition from Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin and expressed his aspirations for a debut in first-class cricket.
In a recent VHT match against Bengal, Aman scored an impressive 200* off 154 balls, hitting 12 fours and 13 sixes against a formidable bowling lineup that included Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep. This achievement made him the ninth player to score a double century in VHT, joining the ranks of notable players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, and he became the first player from Hyderabad to achieve this milestone.
Prior to this, he 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.
Aman's journey to success was not without challenges. Born in the United States, he 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* in his first match.
His talent caught the eye of Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara, leading to his acquisition by the IPL team for Rs 30 lakh.
Aman, who moved to India at six months old, grew up in a cricketing environment, often accompanying his brother to St John’s Academy, which has produced cricketing legends like VVS Laxman and Mithali Raj. Despite facing challenges in age-group cricket, this season has been a turning point for him.
Reflecting on the wait for his citizenship, he told ESPNCricinfo, “It was a nervous wait.”
His double century against a strong Bengal side, featuring four international players, drew praise from Ashwin, who remarked that “RR had struck gold with him,” highlighting Aman's remarkable acceleration in scoring.
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.”
After struggling for runs in October, he sought advice from fellow Hyderabadi Tilak Varma, who shared his experiences and offered guidance during a challenging phase.
In the Under-23 men’s elite trophy, Aman excelled, scoring 381 runs in six innings at an average of 63.50, including a century and three fifties.
Initially apprehensive about opening the batting, Aman gained confidence after scoring his first century at the age of nine, leading him to embrace the role.
He recounted his mixed experiences in youth cricket, including disappointment in U19 selections, but remained focused on his development.
“My coaches advised me that even if this did not happen, something bigger might be waiting,” he shared.
Despite setbacks, Aman continued to work hard, trusting the process and preparing for future opportunities in white-ball cricket.
“I aim to make every opportunity count and hope for a Ranji Trophy debut soon,” he concluded.