In an unexpected but moving twist of events, Chetan Sakariya has been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a stand-in for the injured Umran Malik for IPL 2025. This is a significant comeback for Sakariya, who has struggled personally and professionally to get to where he is now.
Chetan Sakariya Replaces Umran Malik in IPL 2025
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) announced that they will have Chetan Sakariya in their team for IPL 2025 in place of Umran Malik, who has been injured and ruled out for the whole season. Sakariya has been purchased for Rs 75 lakh, and his addition is a big comeback for the left-arm pacer, who had been lacking opportunities in recent times.
Following the highs and lows on and off the field, Sakariya was selected for the KKR squad. He had gone unsold in the 2024 IPL auction with past performances, yet the injury of Malik has now given him the chance to show his worth. Maybe it will be the break Sakariya has been waiting for, coming back to the fold and kickstarting his career in the T20 circuit.
Chetan Sakariya’s Journey
Chetan Sakariya has had to toil hard to make his way through to the IPL and international cricket. He is a kid from a small village near Bhavnagar in Gujarat, any worthy professional cricket ever undertaken in the arena of struggle and determination.
Sakariya was born into a family barely able to make ends meet. To support his passion for cricket, he had to work in his uncle’s stationery shop during his school days. Even his father, who was a tempo driver, was not able to afford a cricket kit and give him any formal coaching, making reaching professional cricket all that harder.
Through all these odds, the passion and determination inside him never faded. He continued to play cricket, even through the hardships of life. His uncle stepped in and paid for his schooling and cricket practice, which at last allowed Sakariya to breach the curtain set by these steep odds to enter the domestic circuit.
Domestic Success
Chetan Sakariya came through the ranks by performing credibly at the domestic level, especially in the Ranji Trophy. After bowling in the nets for Saurashtra’s senior team, he made his debut in Ranji against Gujarat in November 2018.
Notably, during his debut match, he picked up 5 wickets in the first innings. In the years to follow, Sakariya kept performing well at the domestic level; in his first season, he earned 29 wickets from 8 Ranji games.
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However, teammates started to notice him for his performances in the T20 format. His scintillating bowling performances in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy caught the attention of IPL scouts, especially the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). That made him a hot name among IPL teams with his ability to bowl under pressure and perform in the shortest form of the game.
A Dream Debut in IPL 2021
Glory Beamed on Chetan SakariyaIn 2021, Chetan Sakariya had his moment of glory when he was drafted by the Rajasthan Royals for a sum of Rs 1.2 crore in the IPL mini-auction-a huge achievement for a young cricketer hailing from a small village and the beginning of his journey in the IPL.
Sakariya made an instant impression in his debut season using the ball, impressing everyone with the maturity and composure he displayed considering his age. His performance saw him earn an international call-up and he made his debut in India colors the same year. In ODI cricket, he has since claimed 2 wickets and in T20I cricket, he has picked up 1 wicket in 2 matches.
However, after an early coming-out party, Sakariya’s IPL career hit a snag. He was bought by Delhi Capitals but did not get a game in the 2022 season, and his career dead-ended thereafter. However, the hard work and dedication paid off as he got another shot with KKR for IPL 2025.
IPL Career and Performance:
So FarWith 19 IPL games under his belt in three seasons (2021-2023), Chetan Sakariya has taken 20 wickets at an 8.43 economy rate. His best performance in IPL was in his debut season with Rajasthan Royals which emphasized his capability as a big-match player. Sakariya in 2022 has played through the turbulent phase of being a part of the Delhi Capitals, not much of an impact on the ground.
His quality and left-arm pacer capabilities have always shined through, winning him merit within the IPL fraternity while looking up to his delivery difficulties.
The Road Ahead: A Fresh Chance with KKR
For Chetan Sakariya, IPL 2025 is a fresh chance to establish himself and leave his mark in T20 cricket. With Kolkata Knight Riders and Shreyas Iyer as skipper, Sakariya will be able to display his skills and play a more important role for the team. Having played in the IPL earlier and having performed well in the domestic league recently, Sakariya has all the ingredients to make a successful comeback.
KKR’s choice to introduce Sakariya as a substitute for Umran Malik is a testament to his willpower and resilience. If he delivers, it might be the start of a new chapter in his professional career, both in the IPL and internationally. The young pacer has already defeated massive personal and professional obstacles, and now he is set to leave an enduring mark on the IPL 2025 season.
A Story of Hope and Determination
The story of Chetan Sakariya’s journey to IPL 2025 is one of hope, determination, and refusal to give up. From a simple start to playing IPL and representing his country, Sakariya has encountered numerous setbacks in his career. But his talent, commitment, and strong will have never let him stray from the path of success.
Now, with a second opportunity to redeem himself in IPL 2025 with Kolkata Knight Riders, Sakariya can rise above past failures and scale new heights in his cricketing career.
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