Kumar Kushagra playing for Gujarat Titans - (Source: X)
On Friday, October 16, India released multiple ODI squads for New Zealand ODIs. Since several A-listers, including Shubman Gill, won’t be available for the last two ODIs to prepare for Tests, it has allowed several fresh faces in the squad, like Kumar Kushagra.
Kumar Kushagra, who represents Jharkhand in domestic events, has earned his maiden India call-up for the 4th and 5th ODI. The internet was divided following his selection. A section of fans hailed his recent performance and backed the selection, while another section raised their doubts.
Therefore, this article will decode Kumar Kushagra’s List A numbers and overall stats that led to his India call-up.
Kumar Kushagra’s Overall Numbers
Criteria
Data
Innings
138
Runs
4693
Average
34.00
100/50
9/22
(Kumar Kushagra's Career Stats)
Kumar Kushagra rose to prominence when he featured in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup. He played a solitary game at the age of 15 and scored 13 runs. Since then, Kushagra has featured in every domestic tournament - Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Talking about his overall numbers, Kushagra has played 138 matches, amassing 4693 runs, averaging 34.00 with the bat across youth tournaments.
Kumar Kushagra's Figures In List A Cricket: Selection Well Deserved?
Criteria
Data
Innings
36
Runs
1400
Average
38.88
100/50
2/10
(Kumar Kushagra's Stats in List A Cricket)
Now, shedding light particularly on his List A cricket, then Kushagra has played 36 unofficial ODIs, scoring 1400 runs and averaging 38.88 with the bat.
In the 2022 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kushagra scored 275 runs in 5 innings, averaging 68. He performed well in the 2023 Deodhar Trophy and missed out on a well-deserved century by 2 runs. Kushagra averaged just 32 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023.
His average jumped to 52 in VHT 2024, where he slammed 208 runs in 7 innings. Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 was best for Kumar Kushagra because he scored 368 runs in 6 innings for Jharkhand, averaging 73.60 with the bat.
It was a defining season for the youngster, who slammed two straight centuries. It precedded a brilliant SMAT, where he scored 422 runs in 10 innings and a brilliant Ranji Trophy, scoring 572 runs in 12 innings.
Hence, Kushagra has been among the runs across formats and not particularly, List A cricket, in particular, has been the reason behind his India call-up. Kushagra was recently picked up for Australia A vs India A ODIs as well.
Kumar Kushagra playing for Gujarat Titans - (Source: X)
