Kushagra’s IPL 2024 Journey: From Auction Room to Delhi Capitals, A Life-Changing INR 7.2 Crore Deal

Kumar Kushagra, a promising wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand, found himself in a nerve-wracking scenario on December 19, 2023. The backdrop? The IPL Auction for the 2024 season, buzzing with 333 players listed, including Kushagra.

Amidst a Ranji Trophy camp in Ranchi, Kushagra glued himself to the auction proceedings. The clock ticking past 5:30 pm, he watched eagerly, alone in his room, unable to even seek refreshments.

The live streaming encountered an unwelcome ad break, rattling Kushagra’s nerves. His name hadn’t surfaced yet, fueling his anxiety. But as the stream resumed, Kushagra spotted his name, anticipation surging to see which team would secure him for IPL 2024.

“Chennai Super Kings made the first move, bidding up to INR 65 lakhs. Congratulations flooded in via calls, unheeded by me as I watched via JioCinema on my mobile. Suddenly, the video paused, and when I resumed, the bid soared to 7.2 crore,” recollected Kushagra in an exclusive discussion with IANS, facilitated by Delhi Capitals and JSW Sports.

The auction witnessed Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans vying for him initially until CSK backed out. Delhi Capitals swooped in, sealing the deal at a game-changing 7.2 crore.

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The hammer’s resounding hit confirmed the astounding amount, prompting an eager audience outside Kushagra’s room. “I was stunned! Everyone poured in – Ranji Trophy players, support staff, even the U-23 team,” he exclaimed.

In this whirlwind of joy, Kushagra sought five minutes to connect with his parents in Jamshedpur. Emotions ran high; his mother teared up, celebrating his relentless dedication and urging him to dominate on the path to international cricket.

Kushagra’s cricketing odyssey began under his father Shashikant’s tutelage, a cricket enthusiast who coached his son’s cricket ABCs. From 5:30 am practice sessions before school to studying cutouts of batting techniques, Kushagra’s father laid the foundation.

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Shashikant’s astute advice reshaped Kushagra’s approach to learning, emphasizing net practice to avoid getting out in matches. Dedication to practice reaped rewards, earning Kushagra accolades like the highest run-getter in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, opening doors to the India U-19 team.

Transitioning to senior cricket wasn’t easy, facing stalwarts like Ishant Sharma and Nitish Rana. Yet, his grit shone through, notably with a record-breaking 266 in a first-class game against Nagaland.

Kushagra’s meteoric rise continued in 2023, capturing attention in tournaments like the Deodhar Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy with his impactful performances.

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Joydeep Mukherjee from Delhi Capitals lauded Kushagra’s talent, recognizing his value in white-ball cricket. His impressive displays in trials against seasoned players fueled confidence and the expectation of an IPL call-up.

Acknowledging a defensive streak in his youth, Kushagra devoted himself to becoming a more aggressive middle-order batter, fine-tuning his big-hitting skills against diverse ball types.

At the heart of Delhi Capitals’ interest lay the quest for a proficient Indian wicketkeeper-batter, especially considering Rishabh Pant‘s uncertain fitness. Kushagra’s robust keeping skills were a major draw for the team.

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As Kushagra enters the IPL fray, his focus remains undeterred by the enormity of the platform. He aims to stay true to his game, maintaining focus, and preserving fitness amidst potential distractions.

Joydeep lauded Kushagra’s clarity and maturity, citing the bidding war as a testament to the youngster’s exceptional talent and a bright future in cricket.