Tushar Raheja - (Source: TNPL 2026)
The preparations for IPL 2027 are already underway. With more than 8 months left for the next edition, franchises have already started scouting talent. TNPL’s Tushar Raheja is one talent that would be on multiple teams’ wishlist.
The 25-year-old youngster is having a tremendous Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) season and has definitely grabbed eyeballs. Tushar Raheja had a great TNPL 2025, where he amassed 488 runs in 9 innings, averaging 61.00. The positive about Raheja is that he is a consistent player and scored four fifty-plus scores last year.
Tushar Raheja Off To A Brilliant Start in TNPL 2026
Tushar Raheja went unsold during the IPL 2026 mini-auction despite a stunning TNPL. However, the 25-year-old has replicated his previous year’s performance in the ongoing season as well. The youngster has already amassed 196 runs in 3 innings.
Also Read: 3 Players Who Can Earn Maiden IPL Contracts Through TNPL 2026
Raheja is currently leading the run-scoring charts and already has a century to his name, which came against Chepauk Super Gillies. In the latest events, Tushar Raheja once again hogged the limelight for his brilliant 90 (52) against Nellai Royal Kings.
| Criteria | Data |
| Innings | 3 |
| Runs | 196 |
| Average | 98.00 |
| Strike-Rate | 181.48 |
(Tushar Raheja's performance so far in TNPL 2026)
Who Is Tushar Raheja? Who Can Be The Next Big Thing In IPL 2027 Auction?
Talking about Tushar Raheja, when he was six years old, he had enrolled himself into a tennis academy but switched to cricket after watching MS Dhoni lead India to T20 World Cup glory in 2007.
Raheja idolises Dhoni and visited Chepauk Stadium as a child to watch the likes of Matthew Hayden and Mike Hussey in action. "I was always a fan of Dhoni," Raheja says. "When Matthew Hayden used to play for CSK, I used to go to Chepauk to watch a lot of matches. So, I was fascinated by the way he took down fast bowlers," remarked Raheja.
Raheja didn't start as an opener at Tiruppur but was promoted to the top after coach RX Murali saw a spark in him during a practice game.
Talking about IPL, Raheja had attended multiple trials before and during IPL 2025, including a mid-season one, but couldn't break into the big league. "I thought I did well at the Delhi trials and then I was called again during the tournament as well," Raheja recalls, speaking to ESPNcricinfo.
Why KKR, MI, and Delhi Capitals are Keeping A Close Eye On Tushar Raheja?
Tushar Raheja is an opening batter and also a wicket-keeper, one package that most of the teams want. At present, KKR, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals are the three teams that requre an opening batter.
For MI, Rohit Sharma is turning 40 next year and the five-time winners will be without quality opening batter. Hence, brining in Tushar Raheja can solve their opening woes and also they get a quality Indian keeper.
For Delhi Capitals, they too opted for several opening pairs in IPL 2026. Pathum Nissanka had a mixed season, which is why Tushar Raheja is a great option for them as well. Similarly, for KKR, they too require an opener following Ajinkya Rahane's retirement.
Why Tushar Raheja Is a Great fit?
The star opener is a big-match player, as he scored 77 (46) in the final and helped his side win the title. Raheja was ignored by IPL franchises last year, but if he backs up his TNPL 2025 performance with another great year, then he will be a great addition to the IPL.
Also Read: Who Is Sanvir Singh, Most Expensive Player Ahead Of Gill, Abhishek In Sher-e-Punjab T20 Auction?
