Following his team’s third Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) championship and first in ten years, Vaibhav Arora returned to his native city of Ambala. Upon his return, spectators showered the right-arm pacer with adoration, making him feel like a hero.
Several of his supporters greeted the 26-year-old and gave him garlands as they applauded. In a widely shared video, admirers can be seen ambushing Arora and asking for photographs while the entire town celebrates his achievements and moves to Dhol beats. Grinning with thanks and contentment, he gently granted the supporters’ wishes.
Vaibhav Arora received a hero’s welcome as he returns to his hometown after KKR’s IPL win. 💜 pic.twitter.com/dkMkttLQWi
— Harsh (@NotSoH4rsh) May 31, 2024
Taking 11 wickets from 10 matches at an average of 25.09 and an economy of 8.24, the gifted seamer was one of the team’s star performances this season under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership. He praised Mitchell Starc admirably and claimed crucial wickets for KKR during the powerplay.
Arora’s season-high performance came in his opening game versus the Delhi Capitals, when he amassed 3/27 in his four overs. Rishabh Pant, the captain of Delhi, was one of the wickets he took, taking three wickets in all. In four overs, the right-arm seamer amassed 2/28 against the Chennai Super Kings, albeit in a losing cause.
Also read: KKR Ke Coach Hain: Janhvi Kapoor trains with Abhishek Nayar, Dinesh Karthik for Mr. and Mrs. Mahi
In Qualifier 1 and the Final, Arora took one wicket apiece. He removed Abhishek Sharma from the game in Qualifier 1 and then removed Travis Head in the championship match. With an average of 30.84 and an economy rate of 9.18, he has claimed 19 wickets in 20 games.
The pundits commended Arora profusely for his ability to swing the ball. In the last powerplay, the former Punjab Kings bowler bowled three overs in a row under favourable conditions, finishing with statistics of 1/24 in his three overs. After this performance, he’ll want to improve even more and grow even more.