IPL 2026 Mini-Auction: Teams Strategize

“I was just hoping that someone would raise their paddle, it took me some time to realise that I have gone to CSK for Rs 14 crore. Sapna lag raha tha sab (it felt like a dream), I told Rinku (Singh) bhai ko pinch karo ek baar (pinch me once). My family has not seen so much money in their life, this will change things for good. What I will do with the money, that’s for my family to think about, not my job! I always wanted to play for CSK, especially under M S Dhoni. He too bats lower down the order like me, I had wished to go to CSK… Lagta hai Bhagwan ne sun liya, (God has heard my prayers)”

“I have always believed in his abilities. They call him the Sixer King in Rajasthan these days. The trials were amazing (for him). With KKR, he smashed 119 runs in 32 balls with 17 sixes. In Chennai, he smashed 97 in 42 balls”

“Back then, there was no formal coaching in Baramulla. Now, things have changed. So I played my first real red-ball cricket only after 19. I happened to accompany a friend for state trials when I was picked”