Darsh Abhinay: The Hyderabad lad breaking records in English county cricket

When he was in grade four, Darsh Abhinay did something extraordinary. He opened the batting for his team against a well trained and experienced team in a U-18 Inter-school cricket tournament. Nine years old at the time, he hit 56 (not out) of 52 balls, stunning all those who watched him in action. His coach was so delighted with his performance that he lifted Darsh onto his shoulders and carried him out from the pitch as a mark of celebration. The kid went on to win the emerging player of the tournament award and his cricketing journey was off to a flying start. “Watching India lift the 2011 World Cup as a 6-year-old kid was the moment I decided I wanted to be there one day,” smiles cricketer Darsh Abhinay, speaking to Global Indian. Now, he plays English county cricket where he continues to pull off record-breaking feats.

A triumphant season

The 17-year-old, who has been practising professional cricket for last 12 years, stunned fellow cricketers and the audience alike when he went on to get 25 wickets, hit 302 runs (including three fifties with a highest score of 95) and took 11 catches in a successful season for Headstone Manor Cricket Club in the Middlesex County League in London last year. Darsh, a leg spinner and a right hand middle order batsmen was inducted into the Middlesex County Cricket League Hall of Fame, was pronounced as the ‘Player of the Week’ and awarded the “Best Bowling Performance of the Season” for his record breaking feat.

“As the ball was placed in my hand, my heart was pounding with anticipation. The Headstone Manor Cricket Club was about to experience something they hadn’t witnessed in their 44-year-long history,” says Darsh, of that clear sunny afternoon in London when he arrived on the pitch and eventually took 10 wickets.

Darsh Abhinay

The budding cricketer broke the unique record of being the only fourth player next to Jim Laker, Anil Kumble and Ajaz Patel for taking 10 wickets in an innings in a test match.

How it began

It was a call from Darsh’s aunt in the UK informing him about a position opened for an overseas player that led him to London. “I found myself on the pitch merely 48 hours after I landed in London, the weight of exhaustion and jet lag tugging at my limbs. But there was an electrifying feeling coursing through my veins as I wanted to write history in my first match,” he declares.

What was as yet unknown to a 17-year-old boy from the south of India, the Middlesex County Cricket League presented its own unique challenges. With each delivery, he adapted to the conditions and started to weave his spell by learning on the spot and struck fear into his seasoned opponents.

Early training grounds

Born in Hyderabad in February 2005, Darsh’s father worked as the CAO at St Mary’s College and his mother is a HR Director at Invesco. Darsh Abhinay started playing cricket when he was in third grade. “I used to come to school 45 minutes late as I had practice in the mornings. Due to this all my teachers and peers knew I was a cricketer.” Sancta Maria International School, where he was a student, was always supportive of Darsh’s cricketing journey, even giving him the freedom to miss his classes if required. Darsh did his part too, ensuring his grades never dropped. He graduated in the top five percent of his class. He even founded a sports club and won a few business competitions. From there, Darsh went on to St Mary’s College and has won several awards along the way – he was felicitated by RBL Bank in Hyderabad as part of their young leader and sportsperson campaign.

Darsh’s passion comes from his father, an avid cricketer himself. “He introduced me to cricket at the age of three. As an infant, I used to watch him play matches and would cheer him on,” says the young cricketer, who began training at the cricket academy at the age of 5. “My dad played a huge role in my cricketing journey and made lots of sacrifices. He even left his job for six years, trained and helped me learn the nuances of the game. He would even drive me to my practice sessions.” He also idolised Sachin Tendulkar and bowler Shane Warne, whom he describes as one of the best leg spinners everyday, saying, “I would watch videos of his bowling everyday.”

Overcoming obstacles

Darsh’s journey hasn’t always cheerful. “I faced obstacles that tested my resilience. I encountered injuries, unfair selection practices that kept me out of the state team, and the biggest hurdle of them all, COVID-19,” says Darsh.

When the lockdown was lifted, however, Darsh was nursing a finger injury that kept him out of action for an agonizing four months after the lockdown. “I considered quitting the sport, but with my coach’s guidance, I rekindled my passion. Two months later, I stood in London, breaking records and achieving a dream I never thought was possible,” says a beaming Darsh, who has won over 40 awards for man of the series, emerging player, best fielder, best bowler and man of the match.

Darsh’s day usually starts at the crack of dawn. He is up by 5.45 am and heads straight for his cricket practice for an hour. It’s college next and once he is back home by 4, he goes to his gym after which it’s practice time again. “My mother has been telling me to include yoga in my schedule and I plan to do it soon,” says Darsh, who is looking to play more county cricket in the UK even as he is playing a few tournaments in Hyderabad presently. “My dream is to play for the country,” says the cricketer, who used to play volleyball, badminton and table tennis in school.

Darsh also has a great interest in entrepreneurship and wants to start a business of his own in future.