“Priyansh loves playing and watching cricket, nothing else distracts him”: Sanjay Bhardwaj
Debasis Sen
Punjab Kings’ left-hand opener Priyansh Arya has carried his red-hot form from last IPL season into the current one. The 24-year-old batter from Delhi has already piled up 211 runs in just five matches in the ongoing season, striking at an incredible strike rate of nearly 248.23. He first grabbed attention in IPL 2025 with an impressive 475-run debut season.
According to his childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj, Priyansh’s rise is driven by strong mental resilience and a constant eagerness to improve. This season, he has backed up the hype with match-winning knocks, including blistering innings of 39 off 11 balls, 57 off 20, and a dominant 93 off 37, effectively silencing any doubts about his consistency.
“For Priyansh, discipline is everything. He started training with me at the LB Shastri cricket academy when he was 9 or 10 years old. Over the years, he has stayed grounded—listening to his parents, coaches, and mentors. He has a strong support system, his school coach, trainer, and management team. We all guide him without putting pressure on him,” said Sanjay Bhardwaj to RevSportz.
He added, “Priyansh was always an attacking player. I ensured he got maximum exposure in local tournaments. Even before the IPL, he played in smaller competitions and performed consistently. Despite his success, he remained humble. Even today, after big matches, he’s ready to go and play local tournaments if needed. He is also spiritually inclined. He meditates a lot, stays calm, and reflects. Whenever he gets time off from tournaments, he comes to our academy to reset.”
Several players from the academy, including the likes of Nitish Rana, Kulwant Khejroliya, Tejasvi Singh and Kumar Kartikeya, are part of various IPL teams. According to Bhardwaj, “It’s deeply satisfying. My role is to prepare them mentally—to stay ready at all times. Like a commando, you must be prepared when your opportunity comes. I always tell my players, ‘don’t think negatively about selection or non-selection. Just be ready to perform whenever called upon’”.
Bhardwaj, who is also a Dronacharya winning coach, took a bold decision a few years back by starting the LB Shastri Cricket Shaala in a remote village of Anwala (Amla) in Bhopal. The primary objective is to stay away from the hustle of city life.
Bhardwaj noted, “Discipline is the backbone of our academy in Bhopal. It’s located away from the city, and everything happens within that space—training, meals, rest. Phone usage is limited for the trainees. This idea was inspired in part by Gautam Gambhir, who encouraged creating a focused environment away from distractions. We live there like a family. My wife and I stay there for most part of the year. It’s not just an academy—it’s a home where players grow together.”
On being asked if he sees similarities between Priyansh and Gautam Gambhir in terms of mindset, Bharadwaj said, “Gautam has always been low-profile despite his success—no unnecessary distractions, no nightlife, complete dedication. Priyansh is very similar. He loves playing and watching cricket—nothing else distracts him. Since his parents are teachers, he has strong values. He is humble, grounded, and focused.”
There will be a time when Priyansh will go through a lean patch. In that respect, his coach said, “We don’t focus on competition—we focus on performance. Improvement isn’t just physical; it’s mental and spiritual. Priyansh practices meditation, chanting, and breathing exercises. In cricket, especially as an opener, you have milliseconds to make decisions. You need a calm mind. Stay focused like a racehorse—don’t get distracted. Respect your family and mentors, stay disciplined, and you’ll move forward.”
His coach also observed, Priyansh has the best possible environment in Punjab Kings where he gets the guidance of head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer.
“Learning from someone like Ricky Ponting, who has led and won World Cups—is invaluable. Shreyas Iyer is also an excellent leader who has delivered in pressure situations. When you’re surrounded by such experienced players and coaches, your game naturally improves. A coach’s job is to give confidence. Ponting has given Priyansh the freedom to play his natural game—to attack without fear. Cricket, especially T20, is about courage. That confidence makes all the difference,” signs off Sanjay.
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