Industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla's son Aryaman takes ‘indefinite sabbatical from cricket’; read his full statement
The 22-year-old Aryaman Birla, who has played nine first-class games and four List A (50 overs) matches for Madhya Pradesh, wrote, 'It's been a journey of hard work, perseverance, dedication and immense courage to get to this point in my cricket career. However, I've been coping with severe anxiety related to the sport for a while now'
FollowBengaluru: Madhya Pradesh batsman Aryaman Vikram Birla, the son of famous industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, has taken “indefinite sabbatical from cricket” due to “severe anxiety related to the sport”.
The left-handed batsman took to his Twitter account to announce that he will be out of action and hoped to emerge “even stronger than before”.
The 22-year-old, who has played nine first-class games and four List A (50 overs) matches for Madhya Pradesh, wrote, “It's been a journey of hard work, perseverance, dedication and immense courage to get to this point in my cricket career. However, I've been coping with severe anxiety related to the sport for a while now.”
Aryaman was part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) for two years. However, before the IPL 2020 auction, he was released by the team.
He added, “I felt trapped. I've pushed myself through all the distress so far, but now I feel the need to put my mental health and well-being above all else. And so, I've decided to take an undefined sabbatical from cricket. This lovely sport is an integral part of my life and I hope to be back on the field when the time is right.”
Aryaman thanked the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). “We all have our own journeys and I want to take this time to understand myself better, open my mind to new and varied perspectives and seek purpose in my findings.
“I would like to sincerely thank the MPCA and everyone who has been a part of this beautiful journey so far. I'd also like to express my gratitude to all those who have understood me and supported me in this quest of self-analysis. This phase has been difficult but it has also helped me realize who my real friends and well-wishers are. I truly believe that I’ll emerge from this phase even stronger than before,” Aryaman, who made his first-class debut in November, 2017, said.
