by: Markcricket – Arshad Noor Mohammed – Riyadh
Subheadings – Varun Saravanan has become a name to reckon with in the Saudi Cricketing Fraternity for the last 2 years since his debut in the First-class domestic circuit in the Oldest and Highest Central Province Riyadh Cricket Association Al Kharjj League downing colours of Riyadh Elite Game Changers (REGC CC) a product of Global Elite High-Performance Academy MARKCRICKET.
Varun Saravanan Mudailar the 17-year-old all-rounder, our local lad from Chembur residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has achieved a landmark milestone of being the youngest to Represent Saudi Arabia National U19 Team at the world’s biggest platform in the recently concluded ICC U19 World cup Qualifiers 2022, Asia Division 2 held in Oman showcasing his talent, passion, and love for cricket.
Varun proved his mettle at the very first game at Elite Stage on a track that assisted pace and swing spinning his web around with a variety of arsenal in his kitty taking key price 3 wickets in his 9 over spell meagerly licking 21 runs against Bahrain. The Journey which started with playing street cricket at age of 12 with friends at school, representing his school at the U16 Level and then the professional approach of achieving Elite Status started 3 years back when he was introduced to a new world of modern-day High-Performance cricket under the expert guidance of Former Coach of Saudi Arabia National Team Mohammed Azimoodddin (ICC Level 3 Global Elite High-Performance Cricket Coach, Current Head Coach of Riyadh Cricket Association).
The Journey started with developing Mental, and physical skills along with game-based approach aspects, creating a conducive environment and team culture which promoted individual development by keeping the team ahead of individuals and that the game is above any individual. MARKCRCICKET which has achieved remarkable milestones across the globe shear through dedication, discipline, determination and keeping in mind the spirit of cricket and encouraging leadership, friendship and teamwork which brings people from different nationalities, cultures, and religions. Play hard, play fair concept extending to all players, matches, officials and especially in juniors’ cricket, teachers, coaches, and parents.
Varun’s most attributable quality which coach Azeem noticed was his humble nature, hunger, grit, temperament and passion to learn new techniques and adopting to each environment, accepting challenges which were thrown in all net sessions, mental and physical skills development under different scenarios and to adopt and keep calm under the most undesirable match scenarios.
To test his skills along with other High-Performance athletes that MARKCRICKET has given to Saudi Arabia National Team from 2015 real match scenarios were inbuilt into the net sessions to see how they cope in the matches, training twice a week and playing 2 games on Friday and Saturday to get exposure at senior levels the journey embarks with Varun at age of 14 years been the wonder boy of Riyadh Cricket downing REGC colours in the Premier Al Kharjj League winning the Saturday T20 League, 40 overs Al Hokair Championship, SACF National Championship and Nofa Ramadhan T20 League and T10 Leagues performing shoulder to shoulder with his teammates who went on to represent Saudi National Senior Team under the expert supervision and guidance of coach Azeem gaining confidence and matching aware rather than just perfecting the art of batting or bowling.
Varun’s all-round fame spread far and wide and all the hard work paid off when he was selected for the YOUTH Inter State championship representing central province Riyadh Cricket Association against Eastern Province Cricket Association from 2019 to 2022 displaying his skills and was then called off for the Saudi Arabia National Team Senior Camp in July 2022. Finally, the National Trials were conducted under the newly formed SACF for the U19 WORLD Cup 2022 Qualifiers and from throughout the Kingdom Final 30 players were selected and underwent a 45 days camp for the Asia Division 2 Qualifiers in Oman.
Varun’s all-round ability and to perform under pressure earned him his maiden international cap to represent Saudi Arabia U19 National team and the stage was set for the world to witness the mettle of no fear of the opposition, there is no fear of the pitches, conditions, bowlers, travel. Whatever situation he faces, he is ready with an ‘Oh, I have played in this situation before, I can do it again. “I believe confidence is better than perfection,” said Coach Azeem. There is no substitute for hard work when it comes to high-performance athletes at MARKCRICKET AND REGC. Varun has set a remarkable fleet in his 1st International Tour and learned new ways and techniques for his future.
So, all three formats are covered in the past 3 years. This includes blocking, quick running between wickets and even standing at the non-striker’s end. To me, standing at the non-striker’s end is also an art that needs to be perfected. These kinds of sessions have helped Varun to absorb pressure. He is used to different conditions, new ball, old ball, batting for stumps, taking guard the next morning, etc. He has become a very good student of the game. He is now very dedicated and has that burning desire to play for the country. “The day is not far away for the talented all-rounder, who has risen from a schoolboy cricketer scoring big runs to a matured batsman and always a go-to bowler to get wickets at any situation dreaming to play Test cricket, to earn the national call for Senior Team.
Varun after his national tour returned back to display his magic skills in the ongoing Tera System T20 Championship downing his Team REGC Colors and helping the team to qualify for the semi-finals which will be played next Friday.
REGC and RCA Head coach Mr. Azeem expressed gratitude towards RCA Patron, RCA Chairman, RCA CEO Mr. Nadeem Babar and Sr. Vice-President Mr. Nasir Abbasi . He added that “Patience is one of the difficult skills to master in cricket and the team is slowly mastering it and slowly getting there only time will tell the fate and the new ERA and rising of REGC’s fearless approach. A new Dawn and rising of fearless sportsmen are in the making and MARKCRICKET’s 3 decades of policy of believing and creating a sporting legacy (Dynasty) is of blending the team first culture more than talent or even desire and passion. It is about sportsmen from various organizations coming together under one roof as family members and aligning their vision and mission with a common goal, interest in achieving Elite Status with grit, passion, determination, and dedication through the platform that enables success for all and ultimately the creation of Legacy to be left behind for generations to follow.
