Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) handed out an IPL debut to left-arm wrist-spinner Shivang Kumar against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Thursday, April 2. Here’s a closer look at the bowling all-rounder.
Shivang came in to bat during the last over of the Sunrisers' innings, hitting a four off his first ball from Blessing Muzarabani. He was out off the final ball of the innings, chipping his second ball from Muzarabani to cover.
From a blistering Vijay Hazare Trophy to the IPL stage
Shivang Kumar was signed by SRH for INR 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction for his left-arm wrist spin and ability to land meaty blows down the order. Shortly after the auction, Shivang showed why SRH rated him so highly.
Playing for Madhya Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he picked up 10 wickets in just three games at 14.30 each and an economy rate of 5.16. This included a Player of the Match outing against a star-studded Karnataka side, where he returned figures of 5-45. He also played a patient 69-ball 67 knock in the preceding game against Jharkhand, while also picking up three wickets, albeit in a losing cause.
Though he picked up just four wickets in four Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games, he conceded runs at only slightly above eight an over. Shivang also showed his prowess with the bat in the 20-over tournament, scoring a 28-ball 45 against Hyderabad in what was his first-ever senior T20 appearance.
Shivang, notably, picked up two wickets in the first intra-squad practice match for SRH and three in the second.
Taking inspiration from MS Dhoni
During an interview with IANS’ Niharika Raina after the IPL auction, Shivang revealed that he had manifested playing in the IPL alongside his Madhya Pradesh teammate Aniket Verma, who is now playing his second season with SRH. Aniket’s strong showings in the IPL gave Shivang the belief that he could also deliver at the big stage.
He also trialled with the Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals ahead of the auction. But the bowling all-rounder ultimately went to SRH, who had also called him for a trial, which he was unable to attend due to playing in the SMAT.
Notably, Shivang’s father, Praveen Kumar, is a former cricketer himself and motivated him to take up the sport. However, after failing to get into his state’s under-14 team, the SRH debutant thought of giving up cricket, and did so for five months, but MS Dhoni’s biopic inspired him to continue work towards his goal.
“I had heard a few things about it – like when people saw it, they said I gave up on cricket too soon,” said Shivang. “When my brother told me to watch the movie, saying that it is a very well-made film and has an inspiring story, I went to watch it and took a lot of inspiration from Dhoni sir.
“It made me realise that his life had a lot of struggles and I gave up too fast. I restarted playing cricket and scored 98 in the first match. That made me realise that cricket is in my blood, and that I don't know if I will play at the higher level or not, but cricket cannot leave me,” he told IANS.
Image courtesy: IANS
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