Aman Rao Becomes SACA’s 12th Graduate – Signs Rookie Deal with Gloucestershire

We are delighted to announce that Aman Rao has become the 12th graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) men’s programme after signing a rookie contract till the end of the 2026 season with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

A towering presence at 6’6”, Aman is a seam bowler who has made significant strides over the last 12 months — combining his natural height and control with increased pace and presence at the crease. His journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when raw talent is nurtured in the right environment.

From Development to Deal

Aman joined SACA in 2024 and quickly impressed coaches with his attitude, work ethic, and physical potential. Over the winter of 2024/25, he trained intensely with both SACA and the Loughborough UCCE programme, focusing on physical development and technical refinements designed to increase his pace. Having already shown exceptional control and bounce, the final piece of the puzzle was elevating his bowling speed to consistently touch the 80mph mark — a key milestone in the modern professional game.

That winter of dedicated work paid off. At the start of the 2025 season, Aman was selected to play for SACA against Gloucestershire in a red-ball fixture. His figures — 2 for 26 and 0 for 32 — may not have made headlines, but what caught the attention of Gloucestershire 2nd XI Coach Owen Dawkins was his extra pace and steep bounce. Aman had added a new level of threat to his bowling.

Within a week, Aman was on trial for Gloucestershire’s 2nd XI. While his performance stats during the trial weren’t eye-catching on paper, the coaching staff at Gloucestershire saw something more important: potential.

A Future-Focused Selection Philosophy

Aman’s signing is not only a personal triumph but also a reflection of Gloucestershire’s forward-thinking recruitment strategy. Instead of selecting purely based on current performance, the county has begun to place increased value on players with the physical and technical attributes required to succeed at the highest levels of the game. Aman fits that profile perfectly.

It’s a refreshing and modern approach to talent ID — one that aligns with trends seen in other counties and at the national level. Comparisons can be drawn to the recent selections of Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir for England, both of whom were picked early in their professional journeys based on projected potential rather than current performances. In Aman, Gloucestershire believe they’ve found a bowler with similar long-term upside.

Joining a Familiar Face

By signing for Gloucestershire, Aman joins another SACA success story in Zaman Akhter, who graduated from the programme in 2023. Zaman’s own rise has been rapid, earning selections for England Lions tours to South Africa and involvement in ECB Elite Bowling Camps. His journey has already set a precedent for what is possible with belief, support, and the right opportunities.

Zaman Akhter strikes for Gloucestershire CCC

That same system of support has now been extended to Aman, who will benefit from working alongside Zaman and Gloucestershire’s coaching staff as he begins his professional career.

A Word from SACA

Dr. Tom Brown, Founder and Managing Director of SACA, praised Aman’s resilience and progression:

“Aman’s development over the past year has been outstanding. He’s worked incredibly hard to transform his physical capabilities and pace, and his signing with Gloucestershire is thoroughly deserved. It’s a great example of what can happen when potential is recognised and backed by a system that believes in long-term player development. We’re proud of Aman and excited to see where this journey takes him.”

Why This Matters

Aman’s story encapsulates much of what SACA was built to do — identify talented, underrepresented players who may not fit the traditional pathway mould, and provide them with the training, support, and exposure they need to reach the professional game.

It also highlights a wider shift within county cricket. More and more clubs are beginning to value potential over polish, and looking beyond conventional metrics to assess what a player might become, not just what they are today. That shift is essential for improving diversity, expanding the talent pool, and aligning with the demands of modern, high-performance sport.

What’s Next

Aman will now begin a new chapter of his journey as a professional cricketer with Gloucestershire. His two-year rookie deal gives him time to learn, grow, and refine his skills in a first-class environment — with the aim of breaking into the senior side and beyond.

At SACA, we’ll continue to follow his progress closely and support him wherever possible. His story, like those of our other graduates, fuels our mission to level the playing field in professional cricket.

Congratulations to Aman and his family. We wish him the very best in this exciting next step.