When the India U-19 squad for a one-day series against Australia U-19 was announced in August, two names triggered instant excitement: Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid. The surnames, a giveaway of their distinguished cricketing backgrounds, were bound to pique curiosity about their ability to carry forward the legacies of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid respectively.

There are obvious benefits to pursuing the willow game as the son of a famous cricketer, but as a few in India and beyond will attest, there are pitfalls too. Foremost is the burden of expectations from the get-go that can tend to weigh down the offspring. An illustrious surname also makes you vulnerable to immediate judgement.

In a short span, Aaryavir has made strides towards forging his own identity.

At the U-19 Asia Cup in Oman, which concluded with the boys in blue defeating arch-rival Pakistan in a nail-biting final on Saturday, the 19-year-old from Delhi finished top of the charts with 361 runs in five matches, earning the Player-of-the-Tournament award. In the summit clash, India U-19 was faced with an uphill target of 338, but Aaryavir (58, 61b, 9×4) went about providing a solid foundation in an opening stand of 95 with skipper Lakshya Raichandani (80, 101b, 5×4).

Split-screen clips of Aaryavir and his father at the crease make for fascinating viewing. There is a striking resemblance in the flourish of their strokes, particularly through the off-side, but there are key differences too.

While the former Indian opener, blessed with exceptional hand-eye coordination, had no perceptible trigger movement, the youngster shuffles across the stumps before bringing his bat down to make contact with the ball.

Aaryavir has had training sessions at Sonnet Club, renowned for producing a slew of cricketers for Delhi and India, in recent years. Former Delhi wicketkeeper Devender Sharma, who helms coaching duties at the club after the demise of Tarak Sinha, says Aaryavir’s mindset is reminiscent of his father’s.

“Like Viru, Aaryavir looks to take the attack to the opposition. He doesn’t shy away from taking on the quicks. Obviously, there are certain things you inherit from your father,” Devender told Sports stars on Sunday. “Viru had tremendous hand-eye coordination, and could make do without moving his feet much. While facing pacers who bowl in excess of 135 kmph, it is natural to have a trigger movement in your set-up.”

As Delhi’s U-19 coach Rajeev Nayyar informs, Aaryavir is quick to absorb instructions. The 58-year-old pointed to the opener’s 173 off 143 balls against Chandigarh U-19 in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy in October. “In the first three games, he had got starts but failed to convert. He is a stroke-player, but I told him to just be a bit more watchful at the start. He listened and responded with a big knock,” said Nayyar.

Having turned 19 on October 19, Aaryavir won’t be eligible to play the next U-19 World Cup in 2028. Judging by what we have glimpsed so far, he can harbour bigger ambitions.