NEW DELHI: Sakib Hussain had to wait a long time for his IPL moment. And when it arrived, he grabbed it with both hands. After being part of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 without getting a game and going unsold in the 2025 auction, the 21-year-old finally found an opportunity with Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026 – and he returned the favour with a spell of 4-0-24-4 on debut.Alongside Praful Hinge, Sakib delivered a performance against Rajasthan Royals on Monday that stood out not just for impact, but for his game awareness. Known in local circuits for his pace, the young pacer showed a different side to his game, cleverly mixing his lengths and relying heavily on off-pace deliveries. Three of his four wickets came through change of pace rather than outright speed.Having once been labelled the “Rabada of Gopalganj” for his ability to generate pace with a tennis ball, Sakib’s debut was more about adaptation and growth. The comparison, rooted in his early days, took a back seat as he showed control and game awareness on the big stage.At Sunrisers Hyderabad, he also found backing from bowling coach Varun Aaron – himself a former tearaway quick – who has worked closely with young fast bowlers. That support reflected in the confidence Sakib showed on debut, executing plans rather than relying purely on natural attributes.The making of Sakib HussainWith speeds touching 140-plus, Sakib had created a buzz in Bihar’s cricketing circuit long before the IPL call-up. As they say locally, “bhaukaal machana,” he did exactly that with a tennis ball.The buzz eventually reached the Bihar Cricket Association, prompting a search for the young pacer and the organisation of trials. A selection committee was formed, with Nandan Kumar among those tasked with identifying talent. He tracked down Sakib and brought him to trials at the Sonepur Railway Ground.Sakib arrived wearing ordinary sports shoes, torn from several places. Noticing this, Nandan handed him a pair of spikes and a leather ball. Sakib was stunned.“(In Bhojpuri) Ka bhail bey, ball dala na (What happened, go and bowl),” Nandan said loudly.“Ee ka. Pahila ber spike pahinle bani (I am wearing spikes for the first time),” Sakib replied.“Jaa bey, bowing kara ho (Go and bowl now),” Nandan instructed.
Shakib Hussain
Sakib put on the spikes, struggled to even walk properly, and then began his run-up. The bowler known for clocking 140 kmph suddenly lost rhythm. Clearly uncomfortable, he walked away from the trials, saying, “bahut bhaari lagat baa, hum naikhin kar sakat [It is too heavy for me. I can’t bowl]”.Nandan understood the situation but refused to let the talent slip away. He picked up the phone and dialled Robin Singh, coach at the GenNext Cricket Academy in Patna, to take charge of the raw, gifted pacer.“His bowling speed was something everyone talked about in Gopalganj. We used to call him Rabada – people would say, ‘Abey Rabadawa kaha gya bey?’ [Hey Rabada, where are you?]. When he first came, he didn’t even have proper shoes. He used to bowl with a tennis ball and had no experience with the leather ball. But the talent was obvious. He missed the first trials, but when he returned for the second after training under Robin Singh, he was a completely different bowler. That’s when he made it to the Bihar team,” Nandan told TimesofIndia.com.From domestic grind to IPL doorOn his Ranji Trophy debut, Sakib he was ready to go full throttle.“Sir, killi ukhadna hai hume (Sir, I will rattle the stumps)” – those were Sakib’s first words when asked about his plan in the team meeting ahead of his debut.And he delivered.Bihar were bowled out for 143 in their first innings, but Sakib made an immediate impact with the ball, striking in his very first over. “Jo bolta hai wo kar ke dikhata hai (He does exactly what he says),” Robin Singh said with a laugh.He has since played six first-class matches and picked up 16 wickets, including a 10-wicket haul in a match.He was later sent to the MRF Pace Foundation, where he honed the art of fast bowling. His performances caught the attention of Chennai Super Kings scouts, who brought him in as a net bowler.“Going to Chennai Super Kings and working as a net bowler was a big step for him. By that time, he had already made a name at the National Cricket Academy. NCA coaches are well connected with scouts, so he started getting invitations for trials from different teams,” Robin said.Eventually, Kolkata Knight Riders picked him for IPL 2024, but he did not get a game. He went unsold the following year before Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him up for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2026 auction – a move that has already begun to pay off.
The struggle that shaped himThe journey, however, has been anything but easy. Sakib comes from a family where making ends meet was once a daily challenge. His mother sold her jewellery, his father worked as a labourer – all to support his cricket.Robin narrates a story that resonates with the struggles the young pacer endured. “When he first came, he was very quick but inaccurate with the leather ball. The pace was always there. I asked him to stay in Patna, but he said, ‘Mehnga hai sir, paisa nahi hai.’ So we made some arrangements for him and he began training there. Initially, it was clear that he had potential but lacked proper training. We started working on him – he was naturally blessed. That’s how he began bowling with the leather ball properly, and after that, he never looked back,” Robin recalled.From those moments to stepping onto the IPL stage in spikes, Sakib is making the most of the chances that finally came his way.
Hussain’s Struggle
Practice with Vaibhav SooryavanshiWhile Sakib’s raw pace was beginning to take shape under the guidance of Robin Singh at the GenNext Cricket Academy in Patna, young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was training under Manish Ojha at the same place.The coaches would often pit the two against each other in friendly but intense practice battles. At times, Sakib would send Sooryavanshi’s stumps cartwheeling – beating him with sheer pace, sharp swing, or clever slower deliveries. On other days, the batter would turn the tables, launching Sakib over the park and making the young pacer work hard for every ball.It was competitive, but always respectful. They celebrated each other’s moments – a well-taken wicket, a perfectly timed shot. Today, their paths have taken them to different IPL franchises, but that early rivalry continues to define their rise.“We used to set up plans against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and make them compete against each other. It was fun – there was banter, and we enjoyed it a lot. They complemented each other really well. Vaibhav’s rise came early, while Sakib had to wait, partly because of injuries. Fast bowler hai na.“He is a destiny’s child – a God-gifted talent. These two kids, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sakib Hussain, are going to achieve big things in Indian cricket. Mark my words,” Robin said.
Family
