Who is Sakib Hussain? SRH pacer weaves magic with off-cutters on IPL debut

Sakib Hussain (Source: BCCI)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) unearthed two exciting talents in Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain during their clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on April 13 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad.

Hussain, a young right-arm pacer, made a strong impression after coming in as an Impact Substitute for SRH opener Travis Head. Sharing the new ball, he delivered a disciplined and effective spell, showcasing his potential on the big stage. He was picked up by SRH for INR 30 lakh at his base price and had earlier been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 20 lakh in 2024 but did not get an opportunity to play.

Hailing from Gopalganj, Bihar, Hussain’s journey is one of resilience. With his father working as a farmer and the sole breadwinner, his early cricketing days were shaped by tennis-ball matches. In a significant sacrifice, his mother sold her jewellery to help him buy his first pair of spikes. The 21-year-old made his senior debut for Bihar in the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).

His initial outings were challenging, including a debut spell where he conceded 27 runs in two overs. However, he bounced back impressively, claiming four wickets against Gujarat later that season. He was subsequently invited as a net bowler by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Though his 2024-25 campaign was inconsistent, he showed promise in the latest edition and also impressed in the Ranji Trophy, including a four-wicket haul against Punjab and a remarkable 10-wicket match performance against Arunachal Pradesh.

In the match, SRH posted a commanding 216/6, led by captain Ishan Kishan, who scored 91 off 44 balls. For RR, Jofra Archer picked up 2/37. In response, RR were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs despite Donovan Ferreira’s 69. Hinge starred with 4/34, while Hussain claimed 2/24, sealing a comprehensive victory for SRH.