Aravalli Cricket Academy sends four Rajasthan talents to IPL 2026

Four players from Rajasthan's Aravalli Cricket Club made the IPL in 2026, showcasing the academy's role as a talent pipeline for the league.

Early beginnings of Aravalli The journey of the Aravalli Cricket Club started in 2001 at a modest school ground, driven by Vivek Yadav, a former Rajasthan batter. His passion project took shape long before its eventual success, but the real turning point came in 2012. This was when Yadav secured the resources to build a structured academy after winning back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles with Rajasthan and spending two seasons with Delhi Daredevils. ## Relocation and expansion By 2018, the academy faced a critical challenge when the groundwater supply at its original location dried up. Forced to relocate, the team moved to Hathod, where they gradually transformed their setup. Today, the facility includes two full-sized cricket grounds, over a dozen net practice areas, and hostel accommodations for 300 trainees. This expansion reflects the growing demand and ambition of the academy. ## Legacy of Vivek Yadav Vivek Yadav dreamed of giving Rajasthan's cricket talent the respect it deserved. He passed away in 2021 after battling cancer and Covid, but his vision lived on through his younger brother Vikas, who took over operations. Vikas shares Vivek's belief in nurturing local talent, saying, "Seeing four of our players in the IPL would've made bhai proud. Although he was part of Delhi Daredevils for two seasons, he couldn't play but was really passionate about grooming youngsters." Despite his loss, none of the early trainees left the academy. Akash, Ashok, Mukul, and Kartik stayed committed through the transition. ## Akash's rise to IPL stardom Akash was one of the earliest recruits at Aravalli and climbed the ladder methodically. From the Rajasthan age-group system, he progressed to India Under-19s and eventually the IPL. His breakthrough moment came in 2023 when he was part of the Chennai Super Kings squad that won the title. Akash, now with Lucknow Super Giants, represented the academy's first major success story. ## Ashok Sharma's speed journey Ashok joined Aravalli in 2018 with raw pace that coaches quickly recognized. Without formal speed-measuring tools, Vikas recalls seeing Ashok's raw speed instinctively. "We didn't have a speed gun, nothing to measure," Vikas says. "But you could see he was fast." A WhatsApp link to a Red Bull Speedster competition changed everything. Ashok won it in 2023, drawing attention from Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. He later signed with Gujarat Titans after leading wicket-takers in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. During this season, he reached 154.7kph on official speed guns. ## Dedication beyond distance The academy attracts players from far-flung areas, including Ashok, who traveled 40 kilometers daily from Rampura village. Kartik and Akash came from Bharatpur, while Mukul Choudhary journeyed from Jhunjunu. To accommodate them, Vikas built functional hostel rooms with tin sheds on leased land. The conditions are basic, especially in summer heat. "It's very hot here," Vikas explains. "Rooms with tin sheds, the heat radiates terribly in the summers. So we've installed desert coolers in each of the rooms." ## Supporting infrastructure growth The academy's growth has led to increased costs and logistical challenges. In 2021, only a handful of players like Akash and Ashok stayed in nearby apartments, with partial rent support from the academy. After their IPL breakthroughs, the players now cover their own expenses. Ashok still stays there during training. Mukul's family chose a separate apartment to ensure proper diet and emotional support. Kartik and Akash stay at the hostel when training, reflecting the evolving needs of the academy. ## Mukul Choudhary's fearless approach Aravalli's philosophy encourages players to embrace their natural style. Mukul Choudhary epitomizes this belief. Coaches initially tried to adjust his aggressive approach, but Vikas refused to change what made him unique. "We tried to make him play along the ground," Vikas admits. "But his focus was, 'I'll hit sixes.' So we told coaches he has the conviction, so don't tamper with his style." This approach paid off spectacularly when Mukul hit an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls to guide LSG to a last-over win over KKR at Eden Gardens. ## Kartik Sharma's redemption story Kartik's path to the IPL was unconventional. After being dropped from the age-group setup for two seasons, he arrived at Aravalli in 2021 and made an immediate impact. "A double-hundred in his first game," Vikas recounts. His IPL price tag of 14.2 crore in 2026 has become a talking point, but his journey began earlier. His father installed a bowling machine at home to help him train. Kartik quickly became a standout performer, leading Aravalli to multiple Jaipur District Cricket Association (JDCA) victories, including the KN Rungta Trophy, a key feeder for Rajasthan's youth teams. ## Expanding reach and challenges Aravalli now trains 250 to 300 kids, with bamboo nets added to handle the influx. Trainees come from regions beyond Rajasthan, including Odisha and Nepal. While growth brings opportunities, it also brings pressure. "These four players doing so well has increased the pressure on us, to live up to the standards," Vikas says. "We have to keep improving. Have nets, get space, more rooms." The success of Mukul's KKR match-winning knock created a surge in attention, overwhelming Vikas and Mukul's father with calls. ## Maintaining a tight-knit family Despite their IPL fame, the four players remain closely connected to the academy. They share flats, distribute match tickets to younger kids, and stay part of the same system that shaped them. "For the world, they may be big players," Vikas reflects. "For us, they are the same. But we don't want to stop with just four. Why not six?" Kartik's younger brother, Anmol Sharma, is emerging as another power-hitter in the Rajasthan age-group ranks. ## Future ambitions and ongoing struggles The academy's story returns to Hathod, where tin-roofed rooms and shared flats still define daily life. For every Akash, Ashok, Mukul, or Kartik, hundreds more walk past cutouts of these stars, hoping for their turn. Vikas and his team continue to balance ambition with resource constraints, striving to provide the same opportunities that launched these four players into the IPL spotlight.