Mullanpur’s New PCA Stadium buzzed with anticipation on April 15, 2025, as Kolkata Knight Riders squared off against Punjab Kings in a low-scoring IPL thriller. Amid the chaos of Punjab’s record-breaking defense of 111 runs, one name quietly stirred curiosity: Chetan Sakariya, the left-arm pacer poised to make his debut for KKR. A 27-year-old from Saurashtra, Sakariya’s journey to this moment—potentially stepping onto the field for the defending champions—is a tale of grit, heartbreak, and a second shot at glory with a team he helped lift to the IPL crown last year.
Sakariya’s cricket story began in Bhavnagar, where he honed his swing and pace on dusty local grounds. By 2021, he was turning heads, snagging 14 wickets in 14 matches for Rajasthan Royals during his IPL debut season. His knack for late swing and clever variations earned him a call-up to India’s limited-overs squad that same year, where he played one ODI and two T20Is. At 23, he was living the dream—part of Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy-winning side, a rising IPL star, and a national team prospect. But life threw curveballs. Personal tragedies struck in 2021 with the loss of his father and brother, and a wrist injury later sidelined him, stalling his meteoric rise.
Fast forward to 2024, and Sakariya found himself at KKR, signed for INR 50 lakh at the IPL auction. He didn’t play a single match, relegated to the nets, training under coach Bharat Arun’s watchful eye. Yet, his time in the dugout wasn’t wasted. KKR stormed to their third IPL title, and Sakariya, though not on the field, soaked up the high-stakes environment, sharpening his skills alongside stars like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. When pacer Umran Malik was ruled out of IPL 2025 due to injury, KKR didn’t hesitate. On March 16, 2025, they named Sakariya as Malik’s replacement, giving the left-armer a chance to finally don the purple and gold in a match.
Against Punjab Kings, Sakariya was listed in KKR’s squad, though the team opted for a lineup heavy on spin and pace from Harshit Rana and Anrich Nortje. The match itself was a jaw-dropper—Punjab crumbled to 111 in 15.3 overs, with KKR’s bowlers, including Rana’s three-wicket haul, running riot. But Yuzvendra Chahal’s four-wicket masterclass and Punjab’s fierce fightback bowled KKR out for 95, sealing the lowest total ever defended in IPL history. Sakariya, still waiting for his moment, remained a footnote in the chaos, but his presence in the squad signaled KKR’s faith in his potential.
Sakariya’s road hasn’t been easy. After his 2021 heroics, he played five IPL games for Delhi Capitals in 2022, picking up six wickets, but injuries and inconsistent form saw him fade from the spotlight. His return to KKR as a net bowler in early 2025, before the Umran replacement, showed his hunger to claw back. At 27, he’s no rookie, but his 20 IPL wickets across 19 games and international experience make him a wildcard. His signature “Black Panther” celebration—a nod to his fiery on-field persona—hasn’t been seen in a while, but KKR’s call-up could change that.
As KKR prepares for their next clash, this time against Punjab at Eden Gardens on April 26, 2025, Sakariya’s debut hangs in the balance. The team’s pace attack, bolstered by Nortje and Rana, is fierce, but injuries or tactical shifts could see the Saurashtra pacer get his shot. Punjab, riding high after their Mullanpur miracle, will be no pushover, especially after Jonny Bairstow’s 2024 heroics led them to a record 262-run chase against KKR. For Sakariya, it’s a chance to prove he belongs—not just as a title-winning squad member, but as a match-winner in his own right.
The left-armer’s stats speak for themselves: 20 wickets in 19 IPL matches, a best of 3/31, and a knack for breaking partnerships. His international record includes three wickets across three games for India. Born February 28, 1998, in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Sakariya stands at 5’10”, with a lean frame built for endurance. He’s played 22 first-class matches, 24 List A games, and 47 T20s, with 74, 37, and 64 wickets respectively. For now, he waits, a quiet figure in KKR’s star-studded dugout, ready to unleash his swing when the call comes.