Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli have become some of the most well-known athletes in the world, transcending the sport of cricket.
These have resulted from a variety of circumstances, the most notable of which is that they are all recognised as among the finest cricketers of their generation.
That responsibility passes to Aryaman Birla, son of billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla. Aryaman joined the Aditya Birla Group in 2023 as director of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL).
He also serves on the boards of Aditya Birla Management Corporation and Grasim Industries, and is largely viewed as the conglomerate’s future leader.
Before going into business, Aryaman pursued a career in cricket and even has a first-class century to his credit.
Aryaman Birla’s Ranji Trophy career
Aryaman was born in Mumbai in July 1997 and then transferred to Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, where the Aditya Birla Group’s cement factory is headquartered.
However, he had made the decision to compete in the state’s junior circuit, eventually rising through the ranks. In November 2017, he made his senior debut for MP against Odisha in the Ranji Trophy.
In his first innings, Aryaman formed a 72-run opening partnership with Rajat Patidar, who hit 123. However, he managed to score 16 off 67 balls and six off 27 in that match.
He made his mark almost precisely a year later, against Bengal at Eden Gardens. Manoj Tiwary’s undefeated double century helped Bengal declare on 510/9.
The hosts forced a follow-on when MP were all out for 335 runs, and Birla ground his way to an unbeaten 103 off 189 balls to force a draw.Birla stated at the time that he had begun to feel more at ease as a cricketer since people recognised him for his ability rather than his surname.
“Performances are the best way of earning trust and respect, so when I started scoring runs, people started seeing me in a different light,” he’d told ESPNcricinfo. “When I first came to MP, I was recognised more by my surname. I kept hearing the phrase ‘Birla’s son, Birla’s grandchild.
But my performances altered views, and they began to see me differently.That has been my greatest accomplishment thus far. Someone just approached me and said, ‘You’re so seedha saadha (clear and plain), we had no idea you were from the Birla family.’ That, to me, was a sign of change.
IPL and ‘indefinite sabbatical’
His performances on both ends of that innings created enough of a stir to land Birla an IPL contract with the Rajasthan Royals at the 2018 auction. He was with the squad for two seasons but never made it into the first team. Due to injuries, Birla was unable to participate after January 2019.
RR eventually released him in November of that year. Birla announced his “indefinite sabbatical from cricket” in December 2019.
I have felt trapped. “I’ve pushed through all of the pain so far, but now I feel compelled to prioritise my mental health and well-being,” he wrote on Instagram.
“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.
” Birla then joined his family’s business and has had great success since. While his net worth is not officially disclosed, it is estimated to be around INR 70,000 crore.
