Cricket has come a long way from its humble beginnings, evolving from a quiet gentleman’s game into a spectacle of roaring crowds, dazzling lights, and billion-dollar franchises. The advent of leagues like the IPL has not only changed the way the game is played but also changed how one looks at the game. Cricket is now more accepting and more and more new talents are being given a chance to achieve fame and fortune almost overnight. However, there is a cricketer who, having retired at just 22, is still the ‘World’s Richest Cricketer‘.
Aryaman Birla, the son of Kumar Mangalam Birla, the chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, boasts of a net worth of about ₹70,000 crore, as per reports. The source of Aryman mainly comes from his several roles in the group. In 2023, appointed as a director at Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL). he also serves on the Boards of Aditya Birla Management Corporation and Grasim Industries. In the industry circles, Aryaman is seen as the future of the conglomerate.
Image Credit: Instagram/@aryamanvb
Before taking on the responsibilities of the group, Aryaman started a career in cricket. His journey started when he moved to Rewa, Madhya Pradesh(where the headquarters of the cement unit of the Aditya Birla Group is located). Here he debuted in the 2017-18 season for Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. In his first senior-level match against Odisha in November 2017, he managed to score 16 off 67 balls. His big break came next year at the Eden Gardens against Bengal. Aryaman, scored an unbeaten 103 off 189 balls, helping his team to force a draw in what seemed like a losing game.
Talking to ESPNcricinfo, Aryaman explained how when he first came to Rewa, he was known through his high profile surname, but through his cricket he managed to make a name for himself, without the shadow of the Birla name. He further says that this is his “biggest achievement” so far.
Image Credit: Instagram/@aryamanvb
Following his epic performance in the Ranji Trophy, Aryaman was bought by Rajasthan Royals at the 2018 auction. While he stayed with the franchise for two seasons he never made it into the playing eleven. After his injury, the team released him in November 2019. Eventually he declared “indefinite sabbatical from cricket” in December same year.
