From Humble Beginnings to IPL Glory

In the bustling railway colony of Harthala, Moradabad, a young Shivang Kumar's cricket journey began under the watchful eye of his father, Praveen Kumar, a Chief Ticket Inspector and former Bengal Ranji cricketer. Shivang's path to the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is anything but conventional, marked by bold decisions, profound setbacks, and an unlikely source of inspiration: the biographical film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.

At just 23 years old, Shivang debuted for SRH earlier this season after being picked up for Rs 30 lakh in the 2026 mini auction. What sets his story apart is the unconventional training method employed by his father. Despite being naturally right-handed, Praveen transformed Shivang into a left-arm wrist spinner—a chinaman bowler. Shivang later called this switch his father's "masterpiece," a decision that would define his unique playing style.

A Period of Doubt and Inspiration

Like many aspiring cricketers, Shivang faced early hurdles. Failing to make the Under-14 team left him disillusioned, leading to a five-month hiatus from the sport. He was on the verge of quitting altogether when the film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story changed everything. The portrayal of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's own struggles and triumphant rise resonated deeply with Shivang, reigniting his passion and determination.

This inspiration isn't isolated to Shivang. It strikingly parallels the journey of Pakistan's spinner Usman Tariq, who also credited the same film for his return to cricket. Tariq shared, "I came back to cricket after watching the MS Dhoni movie. After watching that movie, I felt our stories were similar… I came back to cricket just because of MS Dhoni." This shared narrative underscores the motivational power of Dhoni's story across borders.

Domestic Success and IPL Breakthrough

Rejuvenated, Shivang focused on his performances in domestic cricket, where he quickly made his mark. His standout campaign in the Vijay Hazare Trophy saw him claim 10 wickets in just three matches, including a memorable five-wicket haul against Karnataka that caught the attention of IPL scouts. In the T20 format, he delivered a promising best spell of 3/25 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Despite these achievements, the road to the IPL was fraught with near-misses. Shivang attended trials for several franchises and even missed opportunities with SRH due to scheduling conflicts. However, persistence paid off. SRH returned to the auction table and secured him at his base price, finally providing the platform for his big-league dreams.

Shivang's story is a testament to resilience, unconventional paths, and the enduring influence of cricket legends like MS Dhoni, inspiring not just him but players worldwide.