“Sourav Ganguly Promised DC Would Bid Until Rs 10 Crore”: Father Of Uncapped Star, Who’s ‘Bit Of MS Dhoni’

The Indian Premier League ((IPL) 2024 public sale made some uncooked skills within the recreation millionares as franchises lined up with massive bids for future stars. One such title was that of wicket-keeper batter Kumar Kushagra who joined Delhi Capitals for a whopping charge of Rs. 7.20 crore. The Capitals needed to fend off competitors from Chennai Tremendous Kings and Gujarat Titans for the stumper’s providers. After seeing his son land an enormous contract, Kumar Kushagra’s father revealed the promise that DC mentor Sourav Ganguly had made him after watching the younger wicket-keeper batter play.

“After the trials at Eden (Gardens), Ganguly informed Kushagra that he would play for the Delhi Capitals and the franchise would bid for him until Rs 10 crore,” Kushagra’s father Shashikant informed The Indian Specific. “On the trials, Ganguly was impressed together with his six-hitting skill and talent to play the sector. His maintaining abilities additionally impressed Ganguly and even informed him that there’s a little bit of MS Dhoni in him when he whips the bails.”

Kushagra, an uncapped Indian with a base worth of Rs 20 lakh, had left an enduring impression on Ganguly who was reminded of MS Dhoni seeing the younger lad play. However, Shashikant felt his son may solely go for his base worth regardless of Dada’s promise.

“I believed he’ll get picked by Capitals at base worth. For a couple of minutes, I used to be so numb. One can solely take into consideration miracles, and at present was that type of day. He was assured as a result of Ganguly had promised him, however I believed he will need to have mentioned this to encourage him,” mentioned Shashikant.

“I had by no means performed cricket at any degree. I used to be only a eager follower. When he was 5 and began displaying curiosity in cricket, I made a decision that I might coach him. A colleague recommended a ebook named Artwork and Science of Cricket by Bob Woolmer. I will need to have learn that ebook at the very least 4 or 5 occasions. That ebook grew to become my coach and I began coaching Kushagra,”he recalled.