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Mumbai: With feet
firmly on ground, the new cricketing sensation of this megapolis,
13-year-old Arman Jaffer Thursday signed his first autograph and
determined to strive harder to live up to the rising expectations.
"I am elated to sign my first autograph and I hope and pray for
many more to come. But I will strive hard to perform to match the
expectations of autograph seekers," said Arman.
Arman shot into limelight after scoring a phenomenal 498 runs off
490 balls Wednesday in his school's U-14 Giles Shield match
against IES Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya in south Mumbai. His knock saw
his team amassing 800 runs and grab an easy win. Arman broke
several records on way, including the highest score of 461 in an
innings in school cricket by Nagpur's Ali Zorain Khan.
A student of Rizvi Springfield High School in suburban Bandra,
Arman is said to be strong willed and a dedicated student besides
being a focused batsman.
"I have been coaching Arman since the last five years. He is very
disciplined and follows a strict schedule of training during the
school hours and after that," said Raju Pathak, his coach.
Arman, who aspires to remain unbeaten in each of his innings has
also been trained by his father, Kalim Jaffer, who has been
coaching several teams for over two decades. Arman is also the
nephew of former India Test opener and Mumbai Ranji Trophy skipper
Wasim Jaffer and it is no coincidence that one finds a reflection
of Wasim's style in Arman's batting.
"Several cricketers have trained under me, including Wasim,
Mussavir Khote, Sahil Kukreja, Murtuza Hussain, Vijay Singh and
Azam Pandit," Kalim said.
"As for Arman, this is just the beginning. As a proud father, I
want to see him in the Indian team and have a long and fulfilling
cricketing career."
Arman's younger sister, nine-year-old Fatima also plays cricket.
"I have also trained my daughter. She, too, is a good cricketer,"
said a proud Kalim.
Arman, however, was initially disappointed by missing the 500 mark
just by two runs. "But then, this is cricket. Everything is
possible here. I will be more focused next time," he said.
Despite his coach's and his father's advice to stay calm, Arman
said he got a bit excited once he started nearing 500 runs.
"But, this is just the beginning. I know I have a long way to go.
I will continue to follow a strict training regime and try to live
up to the rising expectations of people around me," he said.
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