Hyderabadi-Malayali Aaron scores 85 for India against Pakistan in U-19 Asia Cup

Aaron George Varghese, the Malayali batter from Hyderabad, once again rose to the occasion for India, scoring an important 85 runs to anchor the innings in the crucial U-19 Asia Cup clash against Pakistan on Sunday.

India were rocked early after Pakistan dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi for just five runs. Suryavanshi had come into the contest on the back of a sensational performance against the UAE in India U-19's tournament opener, where he scored 171 off just 95 balls. 

Pakistan maintained intensity in the field and bowled with discipline, breaking Indian partnerships at key moments. Amid the pressure, Aaron held firm. He stayed at the crease, read the conditions well and batted with patience, steadily rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard moving- an approach that ultimately paid dividends.

In the second-wicket stand, Aaron added 49 runs with skipper Ayush Mhatre, who played the more aggressive role. Mhatre struck three sixes and attacked the bowlers, while Aaron took time to settle, providing stability at the other end.

After the skipper's dismissal, Aaron received brief support from the remaining batters. Undeterred, he continued to build the innings, capitalising on loose deliveries and running sharply between the wickets to rotate strike. 

Aaron struck 12 boundaries and a six in his 88-ball innings. In the fifth-wicket partnership with Abhigyan A Kundu, he put on a crucial 60 runs that proved vital for India. After Kundu was dismissed for 22, Aaron followed soon after, caught by Farhan Yousaf off the bowling of Abdul Subhan.

In India's tournament opener, Aaron had played a composed knock of 69 off 73 balls and carried that fine form into this match as well. However, for Aaron, the team's cause takes precedence over personal milestones. As he had said earlier, "Individual performance doesn't matter, we have to give everything for the team." His composed innings once again underlined that belief. 

Aaron was born and raised in Hyderabad, but maintains a connection with his relatives in Kerala. His parents hail from Kottayam.

Last season, another Malayali, Mohammed Enaan represented India in the U-19 Asia Cup. Leg-spinner Enaan's family is based in Thrissur.