Delhi-born UAE cricketer harbouring dreams to play for CSK, rates Virat Kohli higher than Rohit Sharma

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When you dream, make sure that you dream regardless of how difficult the journey ahead in achieving it could be. Delhi-born Aryan Saxena definitely believed in the mantra when he first picked his bat and started playing with his friends living in the same building.

The non-complaining neighbours in India were the first ones to identify Aryan's cricketing flair. It was the same time when Virat Kohli, a youngster from the same city was taking massive strides towards becoming one of the greatest to play the game.

Aryan Saxena's parents reacted after the feedback from the fellow-parents in the society and enrolled their kid in a cricket academy where he practiced with tennis balls before making the big and bold decision of moving to the UAE.

Cut to 2021, the all-rounder broke into the UAE-19 cricket team after making the seasoned leather ball his new mate in the gulf nation. Three years later in 2024, the youngster from India, is harbouring the dreams of representing the senior men's UAE cricket team, and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL. Yes, MS Dhoni is the definite reason why Aryan wants an association with the Yellow Army.

"I am from Delhi, India. My journey till UAE U-19 team is a lot to tell I think. I moved to UAE in 2014, before that I used to play in India, just in my building. A lot of my friends parents noticed and they went and told my parents about how I play in the society, and then my parents noticed as well. They put me in a academy in India before we moved to UAE. I practiced in Delhi for a year but that was only with tennis ball," Aryan Saxena said during a chat with MyKhel.com.

"When I moved to UAE in 2014, I found an academy - Dessert Cubs Cricket Club academy. That was my first academy in UAE and I started training with hard ball over there. So, from 2014 to 2024 it's just a very good journey. I represented UAE U-19 in 2021 and that was a really great feeling after a lot of hard work to represent UAE U-19 and play for my country at different levels," he added.

'Want to play in all big leagues, but IPL definitely a big dream'

The MS Dhoni fan not only wants to represent the IPL team of his icon, but also plans to play in the other big T20 leagues across the globe. Not to forget, UAE have their own International League T20 backed by the Emirates Cricket Board. Several IPL teams including Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) already have their presence there.

"Yes obviously, I have a dream to play in the IPL and other big tournaments across the globe. I would love to play in the IPL, and plan to make my debut for UAE's senior men's team. That is hopefully gonna happen to soon. But yes, IPL is a very big dream for me.

"In the IPL I would love to play for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) because MS Dhoni plays for that team and used to captain that team. I love MS Dhoni, and would be great if I get to represent Chennai Super Kings," Aryan Saxena said while enthusiastically talking his admiration for MS Dhoni.

'Virat Kohli is a better batsman that Rohit Sharma'

Aryan Saxena was also asked to make the tough decision of choosing the better between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, the youngster did not waste much time in declaring Virat Kohli the 'King'. He reckoned that Kohli's technique and temperament makes him a class apart.

"Personally I feel Virat Kohli is a better batsman than Rohit Sharma because of the technique. But Rohit Sharma when compared to Virat Kohli, is equally good, but I. would prefer Virat Kohli because of his technique, his physique and his fitness. Also, Virat Kohli's mentality towards the game, and the aggression he shows are really good things to see in him."