Are wealthy children really advantaged?

 Do you know him?

He is Aryaman Birla -son of Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. Being the scion of one of the wealthiest families of India, Aryaman Birla too was expected to take-over his father. But he chose a road less travelled. He decided to become a cricketer. Going by how wealthy he is, he probably had the best facilities to pursue his dream.

In the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy, he made his debut for Madhya Pradesh. Shortly after, he was signed by the IPL team Rajasthan Royals. Apparently, he needed a solitary half-century to get signed by the Royals.

Being a top-order batsman, he's had a below mediocre career. He averages around 27 in First class cricket with one century and a half century.

He was dropped by his domestic team and was released by the Royals in 2020. Not the ending you expect, eh?

If I were at his position, I'd have no choice but to put in the extra effort to better myself. I couldn't have walked up to my father and said, 'I failed at cricket. I am quitting’.

What is Aryaman Birla doing right now? Surprise, surprise —

He is flourishing as a young entrepreneur. He knew if he had failed at cricket, he would always have a cushion to fall back on. Most of us don't have this privilege.

Wealthy children ARE advantaged. But does that guarantee success? NO.

I guess the more facilities you have, the lazier you become.

Let's look at this guy —

Yashasvi Jaiswal. He plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. His story is the exact opposite of Aryaman's. His father was a small-time shopkeeper in Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh. Jaiswal moved to Mumbai to pursue cricket. For three years, he lived with groundsmen in the Muslim United Club’s tent at the Azad Maidan ground in Mumbai. He had to, after he was thrown out of a dairy shop where he used to sleep.

His achievements, He is the youngest cricketer in the world to score a List A double century. He was the leading run-scorer of India U-19 team and player of the tournament at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.

While being wealthy gives you a head-start over the others, it doesn't mean you can't catch up to them. If you have the drive to reach the zenith, you'll do it besting all other odds.