![Nishant Sindhu makes IPL debut [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1777817788734_IndiaU19team2020.jpg?type=hq)
Nishant Sindhu makes IPL debut [Source: AFP]
On Sunday night, India’s 2022 U19 World Cup winner, Nishant Sindhu, was handed his IPL debut by the Gujarat Titans as they face the league leaders, Punjab Kings, at home, in pursuit of breaking into the top-4 on the points table.
The decision to hand Sindhu his GT debut came at the back of underwhelming returns from one of the senior pros, Shahrukh Khan, who had only scored 43 runs in 5 innings this season, averaging 10.75.
The 22-year-old Nishant Sindhu is better known for his blitz with the India U19 team in their title-winning 2022 campaign, followed by his all-round performances for Punjab in the domestic circuit.
As he plays the first IPL match of his young career, we go back in time to relive his unbeaten knock from the U19 World Cup final in Antigua.
Throwback to when Nishant Sindhu announced his arrival
Back in 2022, when India U19 faced a formidable England lineup at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium, Antigua, the Englishmen were restricted to 189 by India, courtesy of a five-fer for Raj Bawa and a four-fer for Ravi Kumar. Nishant Sindhu, who bowls left-arm orthodox, also bowled a tight spell of 0/19 (6) on the day, conceding at only 3.20 runs per over.
As India looked to chase a comfortable-looking total, they lost Angkrish Raghuvanshi on a two-ball duck and were soon 95/3 and 97/4.
Having come in to bat at 95/3 after 27 overs, the Punjab all-rounder took the onus and batted throughout the innings to score an unbeaten 50 off 54 with 5 fours and a solitary six. In what could have been a tricky run-chase, he built a 67 (88) partnership with Raj Bawa and stuck to one end despite losing Bawa at 43 over mark.
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As India managed to complete the run chase in 47.4 overs, Sindhu finished the tournament with 140 runs in 5 innings, averaging 46.66 at a healthy strike rate of 93.33. With his spin, he picked 6 wickets in 5 innings, including the best figures of 4/19.
Sindhu earns his deserved debut
Since his U19 World Cup win with India, the youngster immediately got picked in the IPL 2023 by CSK for INR 60L, before being released in the mega auction without getting a game.
On the back of consistent domestic performances, he was swooped in by GT for INR 30L in 2025 before eventually getting his cap in IPL 2026.
So far, he has played 34 FC matches and scored 2030 runs with 6 hundreds and 7 fifties, scalping 82 wickets with the ball. In List A cricket, he has four fifties for 812 runs and 52 wickets for Punjab. Lastly, in 37 T20 games, he has scored 763 runs at a strike rate of 138.97, with three fifties and a hundred. He also has 21 wickets with the ball.
In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26, he scored 303 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 166.48 with the best score of an unbeaten 63.
GT eye playoff spots in IPL 2026
The IPL 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, currently sit fifth on the points table with 10 points in 9 matches, having won five and lost four. Their IPL 2026 has been topsy-turvy, and they have struggled to find a continuous winning momentum.
Having defeated RCB in their last match, they have put the Punjab Kings into bat at home, eyeing to replicate their bowling performance and bundle them early to chase a comfortable score. Whether Nishant Sindhu is trusted with bowling duties on the night remains to be seen after PBKS are 24/2 after 3 overs.
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