Who is Aryaman Varma, the Wisden award-winning IPL net bowler making his professional debut at the Global Super League?

Varma was named in Dubai Capitals' XI for their first match of GSL 2025 against Central Districts on July 10. Batting first, Dubai made 165-7, with Varma batting unbeaten at four off five balls from No.9.

With the ball, he took the wicket of New Zealand international Dane Cleaver, and finished with figures of 1-23 from four overs on T20 (and senior professional) debut.

Also read: Global Super League squads: Full team lists and injury updates for GSL 2025

Who is Aryaman Varma?

Varma is an 18-year-old leg-spinner who was born in London, spent his early years in Mumbai, and hails from Delhi. He made his England U19 debut during the recently concluded Youth ODI series against India U19, registering figures of 0-26 in four overs and 0-19 in one over from the two games he played.

While his England U19 start might not have been remarkable, the rest of Varma's young career has been anything but.

Born to a family that hails from Delhi, Varma was inspired to take up cricket from his elder brother, who according to him, was a talented fast bowler before an injury cut short his dreams.

"My elder brother was a pretty talented cricketer," Varma said in an interview to Times of India during IPL 2025. "He unfortunately had a back injury when he was only 16, which stopped his career. He was a very talented fast bowler and would have probably made it. When he injured his back, it was a massive, terrible moment for my family and for him. So the obligation and responsibility fell on me to become a successful professional cricketer."

Also read: Five wickets in five balls: Ireland international achieves world-first in domestic T20 game

The Wisden School Cricketer of the Year award

Varma won the Wisden School Cricketer of the Year award earlier this year. Captaining Eton College, he took 51 wickets in 2024, the most for anyone since 2018. The prestigious award, awarded annually by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, was first given out in 2007. The first three recipients of the award were Jonny Bairstow (2007), James Taylor (2008) and Jos Buttler (2009).

"It's a massive deal winning this award," Varma told Times of India. "When I shared the news of winning the Wisden award (with my family), there were tears in everyone's eyes. My mom had tears of joy, of course. My dad was emotional and was trying to cover up his tears and my brother was ecstatic."

The Delhi Capitals connection

Varma has had a long-standing connection with Delhi Capitals. He's been a net bowler at the IPL franchise for three years now, training alongside stars of the game, including one of the best wrist-spinners in world cricket, Kuldeep Yadav.

"He’s (Kuldeep) constantly giving me tips and tricks. I consider him not only a friend but a mentor," Varma said. "Kuldeep bhai has given me just one piece of advice. He has told me that at my age, I should just play matches. He says the more match experience I have, the better I will become."

Varma was roped in by the Dubai Capitals, Delhi Capitals' sister franchise, as a partial replacement player for Jake Fraser-McGurk in ILT20 2025. While he didn't get to feature in a game then, he has now made his debut for Dubai Capitals at the Global Super League, a couple of weeks after representing England U19s.

Unsurprisingly, Varma has much bigger aspirations for the future: "The goal is one day to represent Engand internationally."

Having already made his England U19 debut, won one of the most prestigious awards there is for age-group cricket in the UK, and made his senior professional debut for a franchise associated with the IPL all at 18, Varma is right on track to fulfil his ultimate dream.

Image credit: Instagram/Aryaman Varma