Shivang Kumar Shines on IPL Debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad

Shivang Kumar's IPL Journey Begins

On April 2, Madhya Pradesh spinner Shivang Kumar made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad, facing off against Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He stepped in for Sri Lankan bowler Eshan Malinga, who had a challenging outing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, conceding 35 runs in just two overs during SRH's opening match of IPL 2026. Known for his left-arm wrist spin, Shivang has drawn comparisons to India's Noor Ahmad and is regarded as one of the intriguing uncapped talents in this year's IPL, recognized for his ability to trouble batsmen and contribute as a lower-order batsman. The 23-year-old was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 30 lakh during the mini auction last year.

Earlier this year, Shivang showcased his skills at the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he delivered a standout performance for Madhya Pradesh, taking 10 wickets across three matches with an impressive economy rate of 5.16. His first five-wicket haul came against Karnataka in Ahmedabad, further establishing him as one of SRH's most astute low-cost acquisitions. In his initial four T20 matches, Shivang has claimed four wickets with an economy of 8.05, and during the last Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he recorded his best figures of 3 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs against Bihar at Eden Gardens.

Path to IPL Stardom

Shivang Kumar garnered attention from teams like Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals after impressive trials leading up to the IPL 2026 auction. Although he received two invitations from Sunrisers Hyderabad, scheduling conflicts with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy prevented his attendance. However, the positive feedback from various franchises fueled his belief that an IPL opportunity was on the horizon, making SRH's eventual support even more significant.

His father, Praveen Kumar, a former Bengal Ranji cricketer and employee of Railways, has played a crucial role in shaping Shivang's cricketing journey. Growing up in Rewa, a region known for producing fast bowlers like Kuldeep Sen and Ishwar Pandey, Shivang honed his skills under his father's guidance. Notably, despite being a natural right-handed player, Praveen made the bold decision to transition him from a right-arm bowler to a left-arm spinner, a move Shivang later described as his father's 'masterpiece.' A pivotal moment in his career came when he failed to make the Under-14 team and took a five-month break from cricket. However, with encouragement from his brother and inspiration from the biopic of MS Dhoni, Shivang returned to the sport with renewed vigor.