From golden duck to 39-ball century! Priyansh Arya follows Ricky Ponting's first-ball six advice

Priyansh Arya and Ricky Ponting (Image credit: Punjab Kings)

Poll Do you think Priyansh Arya will continue to shine in the IPL after his rocky start? No, the pressure will be too much Yes, he has the potential to succeed

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NEW DELHI: Priyansh Arya was an unfamiliar name until he smashed six consecutive sixes in an over during a Delhi Premier League (DPL) match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium last August.But that was just the beginning. When given the opportunity to represent Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, Arya carried his red-hot form into the domestic circuit, finishing as Delhi’s top scorer with 222 runs in seven innings at an impressive strike rate of 166.91. The 24-year-old from Ashok Nagar, Delhi, soon saw his power-hitting and persistence pay off in a big way — earning a ?3.80 crore IPL deal with Punjab Kings , transforming him into a millionaire overnight.Also See: RCB vs DC "People only knew me in Delhi after the six sixes in an over feat, but after getting an IPL contract, the whole country knows me," Arya told TimesofIndia.com in a virtual interaction arranged by Punjab Kings."I get recognised, people know me, I get recognition wherever I go. Life has changed after that. People started congratulating me for that feat. Six sixes changed my life, honestly," he said.Arya began his IPL journey on a high, smashing a scintillating 47 off just 23 balls against Gujarat Titans. But he quickly hit a rough patch.The swashbuckling opener managed only 8 runs against Lucknow Super Giants before being dismissed for a golden duck by a fiery Jofra Archer delivery against Rajasthan Royals — a blow that left the young batter visibly dejected and his confidence shaken.But Arya wasn’t ready to give up. With solid backing from skipper Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting , he remained determined. He had stumbled, but he rose again — and he was raring to make a statement.The stage was set for him against Chennai Super Kings.Facing the first ball of the innings, Arya stood at the crease, eyes focused. Khaleel Ahmed had the ball in hand. Just days earlier, Arya’s stumps had been sent cartwheeling off the very first delivery.This time, though, there was no hesitation.Arya stepped up and launched the first ball into the stands — a towering six that roared, "I’m back.""Getting out on zero is just a part of the game. I will get out on zero and will make centuries as well. This is all part of the game. I don't overthink these things. Shreyas Iyer told me to just believe in my instincts and play accordingly. He said always follow your first thoughts. Those tips from him helped me a lot," Arya said."Ricky sir said if you get a similar ball next time, then hit it out of the ground. I got the same kind of delivery and I did just that. I just backed myself. I wanted to hit the first ball out of the park," the left-hander said.

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