Agnivesh Ayachi's elder brother Nakul was a bunny, considering the younger sibling often picking up a familial wicket.

The two brothers started playing together at the IFFCO Cricket Ground in the hometown of Gandhidham in Gujarat, which often hosted Ranji Trophy games as well back in the day.

Enrolled at the Dronacharya Cricket Academy --- founded by former Indian cricketer Gursharan Singh -- after moving to Delhi for their secondary school years, it was here where the competitive streak of the Ayachi brothers truly began. Elder sibling Nakul was a batsman while Agnivesh, as of this day, a bowler.

"Our grandfather used to drive us to that ground; and there were about three four coaches there who ran the whole academy," remembers Agnivesh.

"We (Agnivesh and Nakul) used to always play from opposite teams in academy matches. The very first match, Nakul was just smashing all the bowlers all over the park," narrates Ayachi. "Then I got the nod to have a go at him; and I got him out on the very first delivery!

"Gursharan sir himself was watching us play and said 'Isko hi pehle lagana tha bowling mei, isko pata hai apne bhai ko out karna' (he should have bowled first, he knows how to get his brother out).

"I'm not boasting or anything but 70 per cent of the time I used to get him out. I've got him out I guess at least 15-20 times so far; but there were 3-4 matches where he smashed me all over the park as well," admits the quick from Saurashtra.

Ayachi grew up idolizing Australian Brett Lee and South African Dale Steyn; admitting that the duo's bowling along with his natural swing abilities prompted his choice to be a fast bowler.

"My school coach in Delhi spotted my talent for bowling out swingers as I can tail the ball back in quite comfortably; and have enough control over my swinging abilities," he affirms. "So, he told me to focus more on my bowling and since those days I had decided to become a fast bowler."