As the IPL 2026 mini-auction unfolded in Abu Dhabi, a young right-arm leg-break bowler in Kanpur watched with bated breath. Vishal Nishad, attending the Uttar Pradesh team's camp for the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Kamla Club, saw his future hanging in the balance with each bid. The moment Punjab Kings raised their paddle for him in the third round, securing his services for Rs 30 lakh, marked a dramatic turn in a life story written far from the glitz of major cricket stadiums.
A Dream Realized Against All Odds
Nishad's path to the Indian Premier League began in Jangal Ayodhya Prasad village in the Khorabar police station area of Gorakhpur. His early cricket was played with a tennis ball, a common reality for many in India's hinterlands. The shift to serious training came only after persistent encouragement from his friend, Vineet Pandey, who urged him to switch to the leather ball. Nishad's initial resistance was rooted in a harsh truth: "I didn't have any money."
Refusing to give up, Pandey approached a local coach, paving the way for Nishad to join the Sanskriti Cricket Academy in Gorakhpur. Coach Kalyan Singh initially agreed to assess him for a fee. However, upon learning of the family's severe financial struggles, the coach made a life-altering decision. "When he learned about my poverty, he gave me training for three years without taking any money," Nishad revealed. The aspiring cricketer, who couldn't afford his own kit, practiced by borrowing everything from shoes to bats from fellow players.
The Grind Through State Leagues
The first major hurdle appeared in 2024 during trials for the UP T20 League. A practice match in Noida required travel funds he simply did not have. Demonstrating his determination, Nishad borrowed Rs 2000 from a friend in his village, made the journey, and announced his arrival by taking three wickets in that very first practice match. His performance earned him a spot, and he stayed on for the camp.
His debut in the UP T20 League for the Gorakhpur Lions was impressive, where he claimed seven wickets in four matches. He built on that success the following season, taking six wickets in five games. This consistent performance in the domestic circuit laid the groundwork for his IPL opportunity. He attended multiple trials, including one for Punjab Kings in Lucknow, and videos of his 'mystery bowling' began circulating among franchise talent scouts.
The Life-Changing Bid and a Family's Pride
Punjab Kings scout Ankit Rajpoot, who had first noticed Nishad during his time with the Gorakhpur Lions, was a key advocate. "He has great talent," Rajpoot affirmed. When the auction moment finally arrived and his name remained unsold after the first round, Nishad admitted to feeling sceptical. The third-round bid from Punjab Kings changed everything. "This is a life-changing moment for me," he told TOI.
The significance of the Rs 30 lakh auction price resonates deeply at his home. "My father is a carpenter and mason who works on daily wages. Our family never thought that a child from our family would play IPL," Nishad shared. While he acknowledges that the real challenge of establishing himself in the tournament lies ahead, the door is now unmistakably open. "I will try to make my identity if I get the opportunity," he stated, ready for the next chapter of his extraordinary journey from a Gorakhpur village to the grand stage of the IPL.
