Shivang Kumar’s journey to the IPL is rooted in perseverance, family ambition, and inspiration drawn from MS Dhoni. Now part of Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, the left-arm wrist-spin allrounder is not only chasing his own aspirations but also continuing a path once left unfinished by his father.
Coming from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh and representing Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, Shivang carries a legacy shaped by his father, Praveen Kumar, a senior ticket collector with Indian Railways who once pursued cricket himself.
“My father played Under-19 cricket for Bengal. But due to family circumstances, he had to give up cricket,” Shivang says. “We share the same dream – that I play for the Indian team – and the IPL is a big platform to reach that goal.”
Performances pave the way to IPL
Shivang’s rise has been built on consistent performances in domestic competitions and the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL). In MPL 2025, he made an immediate impression, scoring 91 off 42 balls in just his second match for Bhopal Leopards, including nine fours and six sixes.
Across the tournament, he accumulated 120 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 196.72, while also claiming five wickets in four innings at an economy of 7.21.
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He followed that with impactful contributions in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, where he picked up ten wickets in three matches, including a five-wicket haul against Karnataka, and also registered a half-century against Jharkhand. Earlier, he had made his domestic debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking four wickets in four matches and scoring 59 runs at a strike rate of 143.90.
“Before that [the game against Karnataka], I had taken wickets against Kerala [two] and Jharkhand [three], but I wasn’t bowling in rhythm, and had conceded a lot of runs,” Shivang says. “So when I got a chance against Karnataka, it was quite surprising for me. Our coach Chandrakant Pandit felt I should be given an opportunity on that pitch. He told me, ‘Make the most of this chance because not everyone gets one.’ His words really motivated me.”
Reflecting on his batting contribution, he adds, “It was challenging but it was also an opportunity for me to prove that I can bat in the lower order. That innings gave me a lot of confidence.”
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IPL breakthrough despite setbacks
Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, Shivang attended trials for Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, but was unable to participate in two scheduled trials with SRH.
“The first time there was a typhoon, and the second time there was a strike from IndiGo [airlines],” he says. “But since I had given trials for other teams and performed well in the MPL, I was confident that some team would pick me in the IPL auction.”
SRH eventually secured his services for Rs 30 lakh, offering him a chance to learn under head coach Daniel Vettori and spin-bowling coach Muthiah Muralidaran.
Adapting role and building versatility
While Shivang has primarily opened the batting at the state level, his recent performances in the lower middle order have added another dimension to his game. With SRH boasting a strong top order, this flexibility could help him carve out a role in the middle order.
Dhoni’s influence and renewed passion
There was a period when Shivang nearly walked away from cricket altogether. At 13, uncertainty about his future led him to quit the sport temporarily.
“Then a brother of mine advised me to watch the biopic on MS Dhoni,” Shivang says. “It was after watching it that I decided to give cricket another go. After about a year or so, I picked up the bat again, and scored 98 runs in a local tournament against a team from Delhi. That day I realised I could leave cricket, but cricket would never leave me.”
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Father’s role and unfinished dream
Shivang’s father played a crucial role in shaping his early development, often taking time out from work to train him.
“When I went to watch the film, I became emotional and remembered my struggling days,” Praveen says. “When I used to play cricket, I didn’t have enough resources, but I decided I would provide my son with all the facilities. When he performed well in a local tournament, I took him the next day to Tansen Cricket Academy in Gwalior, and that’s where a new journey began. From Gwalior, a coach took him to Bhopal for a match, where both Priyansh Arya and Shivang performed well.”
Reinventing his game
As he progressed, Shivang adapted his bowling style to stand out.
“After initially playing from the Gwalior division, I moved to Rewa, where I learned the skills required in professional cricket,” Shivang says. “Earlier, I used to bowl left-arm fingerspin. But I felt I needed to stand out from the crowd, so I started bowling left-arm wristspin. Being an opening batter and a left-arm wristspinner helped me a lot. I had decided that if I had to achieve something, I had to do it quickly.”
A journey still in progress
Despite reaching the IPL, Shivang and his father remain focused on a larger goal.
“This is just the beginning,” Praveen says. “The real goal is to wear the India blazer. Just a few months ago, when Shivang went to Kolkata to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, it felt like he resumed my incomplete journey. I am confident he will learn a lot in the IPL, and carry my dream forward. He will not only play for India but also win matches for the country.”
