(Image Source: Instagram / Reuters)
[Saba Sports News] The IPL 2024 Auction, held at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on December 19, saw a total of 72 players being sold to ten franchises. Among the notable acquisitions were several uncapped Indian players, including Kumar Kushagra, who was bought by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 7.2 Crore after a competitive bidding war with Gujarat Titans. Kushagra, a wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand, shares his home state with the legendary MS Dhoni.
Kushagra’s father, Shashikanth, shared insights about Sourav Ganguly’s impression of his son during the DC trials in Kolkata. Ganguly, the Director of Cricket at DC, was notably impressed with Kushagra’s six-hitting abilities and his skills behind the stumps, even remarking that Kushagra has traits reminiscent of MS Dhoni.
“At the trials, Ganguly was impressed with his six-hitting ability and ability to play the field. His keeping skills also impressed Ganguly and even told him that there is a bit of MS Dhoni in him when he whips the bails,” Shashikanth Kushagra was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Shashikanth revealed that after the trials, Ganguly had expressed his intention to bid for Kushagra up to INR 10 Crore. Despite expecting a selection at the base price, Shashikanth described the auction outcome as a miraculous event, especially since Ganguly’s promise had given Kushagra confidence.
“After the trials at Eden (Gardens), Ganguly told Kushagra that he would play for the Delhi Capitals and the franchise would bid for him till ₹10 crore. I thought he will get picked by the Capitals at base price. For a few minutes, I was so numb. One can only think about miracles, and today was that kind of day. He was confident because Ganguly had promised him, but I thought he must have said this to encourage him,” he added.
Kushagra has made significant strides in his cricket career, holding the record as the youngest player to score over 250 in a first-class match, a feat he accomplished during a Ranji Trophy match against Nagaland in 2021-22, surpassing a record previously held by Javed Miandad. In his T20 career so far, Kushagra has scored 140 runs in 11 matches, averaging 15.55 with a strike rate of 117.64.