11 year-old UAE cricketer Arnav dreams of playing for India

When a scrawny little 11-year-old dreams big, even those dear to him would not be faulted for dismissing it as a dream. If every dream were to be fulfilled, the mystique of weaving dreams would vanish. However, with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible once you put your mind to achieve goals some can only dream of.

Arnav Hemant Kambli has many accomplishments, which other boys of his age would not have even thought of in their wildest imagination.
 
He is no ordinary whiz kid nor a new kid on the block who has suddenly appeared on the horizon like a comet.

A singing star at two and half years, Arnav's talent and passion for cricket has exceeded all expectations ever since he began showing signs of talent even as a toddler.

“When he was two and half years, I used to bowl and he used to practice. My husband noticed he used to play with a straight bat unlike other kids. So, we thought he had some talent,” said his mother Preeti who has carefully nurtured Arnav's career.

“Nobody was willing to take him except Gopal Jasapara. We said if you think he is capable then take him. He was a very disciplined child, always focused and a very good student,” she said.

“I want to play for India,” said Arnav with a twinkle in his eyes when asked about his goal as a cricketer.

Jasapara took him under his wing from the age of four and polished the uncut diamond at G Force academy.

“He is very serious (about playing for India). Credit goes to his parents. They are very dedicated and make sure he gets enough coaching, enough cricket, enough matches. At the same time, boy is also responding well. He is also hungry. He wants to play all the time. He is not tiring which is a good combination,” said Jasapara.

Arnav should count himself blessed to have understanding parents who have played the game at the top level - Preeti played for Mumbai women's cricket team while his father Hemant represented Oman national team.

A Grade VI student at Ryan Star International School, Arnav holds the distinction of being the youngest cricketer at age nine to score a century in the UAE. He made 116 not out at JSS grounds last year while chasing a target of 170.

A right hand opening batsman and handy off spinner, among Arnav’s numerous accolades are racking up 365 runs while captaining the Under 11 and Under 13 teams of G Force academy during their tour of Rajkot, India last year.

He was adjudged Best Batsman apart from winning five medals during a tour of Australia with Desert Cubs Cricket Academy in July.

A prolific run scorer who has many half centuries to his credit, Arnav has benefited from the expertise of former internationals such as India's World Cup winning coach Gary Kirsten, Jimmy Adams, Desmond Haynes, Rodney Marsh Mudassar Nazaar and Dayle Hadlee apart from Indian coaches Praveen Amre and Aakash Chopra.

The words of former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams still echoes in young Arnav’s mind.

“When I was five, he came to G Force for first time. I just went and he was asking to play the cover drive. I went and showed him. He was saying you are playing very good,” he said.

Arnav's passion and devotion for the game were praised by Adams, the coach of English country Kent when he was in Dubai to conduct a masterclass at G Force academy.

“I obviously know Arnav when he was about 5 or 6 years. I know he has the passion for the game. He is not a bad little player. He is a young man who enjoys the game and looks a decent player for his age,” said Adams.

“He never copies anyone. That’s his specialty. Always wants to be number one even as a five year-old. He never wants to become somebody,” said his mother.

“Arnav is batting well. He is always there and has played lot of cricket matches. He has scored tons of runs,” said Jasapara.

“Before becoming a cricketer, we thought he will be a singer,” said Preeti who related how he is in competition with his elder sibling Tanishqa who is a champion athlete.

“He complained to his grandma she has more trophies. But now he has overtaken her on trophies,” she said.

“I always wanted to play cricket,” said Arnav who was six when he was there for a toss between South Africa captain Graeme Smith and Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi during a match in UAE.

Thereafter, he did not any further encouragement not flinching or showing pain even when struck by a ball when he was five because he has a dream to fulfill.