Video: Armaan Jaffer chases greatness - One step at a time

The U-19 Challenger Trophy tournament was a big setback for Armaan Jaffer. It cost him his place in the Indian U-19 team for two crucial tri-series leading up to the U-19 World Championship. Being dropped from these two series meant missing out on his last opportunity to impress the selectors.

For Armaan, by now an indispensable at the U-19 team, a dismissal like this could have proved to be demoralising. But that’s what made him want it more.

Don’t stop believing

The thought of the Indian team bus leaving for Bangladesh for the World Championship without him may have disappointed Armaan, but he never stopped believing in himself. In fact, instead of allowing his dismissal from the team affect his morale, he used it as a catalyst to bring out the best in him.

“It was tough when I wasn’t selected for tri-series. I was disappointed, but not demotivated. I knew there was the Cooch Behar trophy where I could score runs and earn back my place in the team,” he explained.

“Be so good that they can’t ignore you,” is what Armaan would tell himself.

Armaan’s performance in the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy demonstrated the belief he has in himself and his abilities. The right-handed batsman let his bat do the talking as he amassed three successive double centuries in the tournament while scoring more than 1000 runs from seven innings in total.

“I wasn’t thinking about getting selected as it wasn’t in my control. I knew I just had to train hard, focus on my game and give it my best. Selection is an automatic process. If it has to happen, it will happen," Armaan added.

When asked about Armaan’s selection in the team, the U-19 selectors insisted that they didn’t have to pick Armaan as he ‘got himself selected’, and they were not wrong. This is a testimony to Armaan’s passion and self-belief.

First Indian to receive the new T20 India Cricket Jersey

At a young age of 17, Armaan exhibits a certain level of maturity and understanding that is not typical for someone of his age. If you were to come across him in person, you would sense a genuine air of self-confidence instilled in his character, a mind void of cluttered thoughts.

Facing problems head on and one at a time is what cricket has taught him. He knows exactly what is expected of him and what he wants - all of that with a very clear and calm mindset, a quality many say he picked up from his uncle, Wasim Jaffer. This attitude of chasing greatness is what made Armaan stand out as the right candidate to be presented the new T20 India Cricket jersey.

“I was startled when I saw the jersey for the first time, and to see it with my name and number was even more special,” said a surprised Armaan after he was handed the jersey by Indian Cricket Team batsman Ajinkya Rahane who dropped by unannounced at his training ground.

Rahane, a Mumbaikar just like Armaan, is inspired by Armaan and believes in his potential and advised the young batsman to focus on his natural abilities and trust his instincts.

“Getting it from someone of Ajinkya Rahane’s stature was just an icing on the cake. You automatically feel motivated to work harder and practice with more enthusiasm. I'm not going to wear the jersey now. I will keep drawing inspiration from it and wait for the day when I will finally earn it.”

Having represented India at the U-19 World Championships, he now aims to first break into the Mumbai Ranji team and then eventually don the Indian senior team jersey one day – taking one step at a time. A newer and tougher challenge awaits for Armaan who is on the right path to chase greatness.