Arya’s knock comes after he was bowled for a first-ball duck by England bowler Jofra Archer in Punjab’s previous match.

A former India Under-19 international, Arya caught the eye last year by hitting six sixes in an over in a T20 match in the Delhi Premier League.

It was in December a timely century helped him earn his IPL chance, however.

He hit 102 from 43 balls for Delhi against Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – India’s domestic T20 competition below the IPL – just a day before the 2025 mega auction.

That resulted in a bidding war between Punjab, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru for his services and he was signed for around £350,000 (3.80 crore rupees).

He then impressed the Ricky Ponting-led Kings in pre-season practice matches and was given his chance.

“The first practice game we played, after eight balls we all looked at each other and nodded our heads and said ‘he has got to play’,” Punjab’s assistant coach Brad Haddin said.

“He hit four or five sixes in his first few deliveries and we said ‘wow this is different’.”

Arya scored 47 on his IPL debut against Gujarat Titans last month but followed that with eight against Lucknow Super Giants and his golden duck against Archer’s Rajasthan Royals.

“He just walked off and said ‘I got a good one’,” Haddin said of the Archer dismissal.

“That is what you want. You want your young kids playing with no fear.

“The way he responded to getting out first ball was first-class.”