Jharkhand batter Kumar Kushagra was just 18 when Delhi Capitals bought him for Rs 7.2 crore before the IPL 2024 season. It looked like a big opportunity for the young player but things did not go as planned.
Kushagra played three innings and scored only 3 runs before Delhi Capitals released him.
When did Kushagra get his next IPL opportunity before making his mark in domestic cricket?
The Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter got another chance when Gujarat Titans bought him for Rs 65 lakh before IPL 2025. However, he did not get to play a single game for the team that season. In IPL 2026, he finally featured in one match against Rajasthan Royals.
How did Kushagra turn his fortunes around in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final?
Things could be different for Kushagra in IPL 2027 as he has been in good form in domestic cricket. The 21 years old wicketkeeper-batter playing for East Zone, scored his first Duleep Trophy century in the final against South Zone. He shared a huge 230-run partnership with his captain and Jharkhand teammate Ishan Kishan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday.
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What were the key highlights and stats of Kushagra’s milestone innings?
If we talk about Kushagra’s innings then he reached his century in 128 balls, hitting five sixes and eight fours along the way. This was his sixth hundred in 36 first-class matches along with six half-centuries. Before the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, he had made 2,190 first-class runs at an average of 40.55, with a highest score of 266.
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How did Kushagra’s century-making knock finally come to an end?
Kushagra was out soon after reaching his century. CM Milind took the catch off T. Vijay’s bowling, ending Kushagra’s innings at 101 from 132 balls. It was the only wicket South Zone managed to take during the first session on the second day of the final.
How did East Zone captain Ishan Kishan dominate the second day’s play?
At the other end, Jharkhand and Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Ishan Kishan continued his excellent form in 2026. Kishan who is also leading East Zone, scored a superb 150 from 204 balls hitting one six and 19 fours. By lunch on the second day, he had moved to 171 from 232 balls with two sixes and 21 fours. East Zone were 491/5 at the break after scoring 106 runs in the first session. The century was Kishan’s 10th in first class cricket from 67 matches. He has also scored 19 half-centuries in his career.
How have Kishan and Kushagra carried their past domestic success into this final?
The strong partnership between Ishan Kishan and Kumar Kushagra has given East Zone a big advantage over South Zone in the final. Kishan is now hoping to turn his innings into a double century. The same two batters also played a key role in helping Jharkhand win their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title last year. In the final against Haryana, Ishan Kishan scored a quick 101 from 49 balls, while Kushagra made 81 from 38 balls. Kushagra hit five sixes and eight fours during his knock.