Vishal Nishad Story: When the IPL 2026 mini-auction was going on in Abu Dhabi, right-arm legbreak bowler Vishal Nishad was watching it all on TV in Kanpur. He had every hope of being bought in the auction, because one decision of the franchise could have cost him his life. He was defeated in the first round, but in the third round, Punjab Kings bid and bought him at a price of Rs 30 lakh. It seemed as if a big dream had come true for Nishad.
Vishal’s difficult journey
Nishad’s journey to IPL started from Ayodhya Prasad village, a forest in Khorabar police station area of Gorakhpur, far away from the cricket stadiums of big cities. Earlier he used to play cricket with tennis ball, then his friend Vineet Pandey asked him to take training with leather ball, but Nishad refused because he did not have money. Pandey did not give up, talked to a coach and Nishad got a place in the Sanskriti Cricket Academy of Gorakhpur. There coach Kalyan Singh agreed to see him bowling after taking the fees.
borrowed from a friend
In the year 2024, the first problem came with the trials of the UP T-20 League. A practice match in Noida meant traveling which he could not afford. He borrowed Rs 2000 from his friend and reached Noida. During this, he took 3 wickets in the very first practice match. After which he was selected. Then in the UP T-20 League, he took 7 wickets in 4 matches for Gorakhpur Lions. In the next season, Nishad took 6 wickets in 5 matches.
Coach waived fees
Then the coach came to know about the financial constraints of the family and changed his mind and then he gave training for 3 years without charging fees. Nishad could not even buy a cricket kit, he used to practice by borrowing kits, shoes and bats from other players.
Also read- Year Ender 2025: Those 5 cricketers who kept bat and ball in the cupboard, said goodbye to international career
Why was Vishal auctioned?
His selection in IPL was no coincidence. Nishad gave trials for several teams in Lucknow, including Punjab Kings, and videos of his ‘mystery bowling’ started circulating among the franchise’s talent spotters. Punjab Kings scout Ankit Rajput, who saw him for the first time with Gorakhpur Lions, had said, ‘He has a lot of talent.’
capable son of laborer father
Being bought in the auction is very important for Nishad. His father is a carpenter and mason who works as a daily wage labourer. The family never thought that any of their children would play IPL. There is no doubt that the destination is still far away, but the door has definitely opened. Now Vishal Nishad has to prove his worth in IPL.
The post Son of a laborer father, gave trial by borrowing money, now hits ‘jackpot’ in IPL auction appeared first on obnews.
Comments are closed.