Kumar Kushagra has received his first call-up to the Indian team after an impressive run in domestic cricket. The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been named in India’s ODI squad for the final two matches of the five-match series against New Zealand.

Kushagra plays domestic cricket for Jharkhand and represents Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Born on October 23, 2004, he has scored 2,507 runs in 38 first-class matches at an average of over 42.

A right-handed batter, Kushagra usually plays in the middle order and can bat anywhere between No. His recent performances in all formats have helped him make his way into the Indian squad. 3 and No. 6, respectively.

ALSO READ: Smriti Mandhana Begins Captaincy Era With Thrilling India Win Over Zimbabwe In 1st T20I

Kumar Kushagra Early Life And Cricket Career

Kushagra’s journey started at home, with his father Shashikant playing a pivotal role in nurturing his cricketing ambitions. Although his father works as a GST district commissioner and never played cricket himself, he made sure his son had the right support.

He bought coaching books for Kushagra and pasted cut-outs of good cricket shots on the walls of their home. These small things helped the boy learn more about the game as he tried to become a cricketer.

ALSO READ: Explained: Why Shubman Gil, KL Rahul Will Miss Final Two ODIs Against New Zealand

 Taking inspiration from legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni, Kushagra started wicket-keeping at the age of 10. His progress soon caught the eye of the cricketing fraternity and at the age of 15, he became the youngest member of the Indian squad for the 2020 Under-19 World Cup.

Kumar Kushagra’s Record-Breaking Ranji Trophy Knock

Kushagra came into the spotlight in 2022 when he scored 266 runs against Nagaland in a Ranji Trophy pre-quarterfinal.

He was 17 years and 141 days old, and the youngest batter to score 250 runs in first-class cricket. The knock was a major moment in his young career and brought him wider recognition.

He continued his good form in the 2023 Deodhar Trophy, scoring 227 runs at an average of 56.75 while batting at No. 7. His performances showed that he could make a difference even when batting lower down the order.

Kumar Kushagra’s IPL Career

Kushagra’s domestic performances earned him a big payday at the 2024 IPL auction, where Delhi Capitals signed him for Rs 7.2 crore. The amount was 36 times his base price.

However, his first stint with the franchise did not go as planned. He scored only three runs in four appearances and was released by Delhi Capitals.

Gujarat Titans signed him for Rs 65 lakh ahead of the 2025 season and retained him for 2026. He made his IPL debut for the franchise on April 4, 2026, against Rajasthan Royals.

While he is still looking to establish himself in the IPL, his performances in domestic cricket have continued to attract attention.

Kumar Kushagra’s Strong Run In Domestic Cricket

The 2025-26 season was particularly successful for Kushagra. He scored 422 runs in 10 matches as Jharkhand won their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title.

He played a key role in the final, scoring 81 off just 38 balls to help his team in the title-winning campaign.

Kushagra also delivered a big performance in the Ranji Trophy, hitting 234 against Baroda. He finished the season with 572 runs at an average of 47.66, showing his consistency in the longest format.

His good form continued in September. He scored a century for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final before making 113 for India A against Australia A in Puducherry.

These performances strengthened his case for a place in the national team, and the selectors have now rewarded him with his maiden call-up.