IPL 2026: Who is Tejasvi Dahiya? KKR debutant comes in as Concussion Sub, hails from a Family of Teachers

In a dramatic moment during the IPL 2026 match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI), young wicketkeeper-batter Tejasvi Dahiya entered the fray as the concussion substitute for Angkrish Raghuvanshi.

This marked a significant opportunity for the 24-year-old uncapped talent, who had already turned heads with his ₹3 crore acquisition by KKR in the 2026 auction.

Who is Tejasvi Dahiya?

Born on April 18, 2002, in Delhi, Tejasvi Singh Dahiya comes from a family of educators. His father, Ravindra Singh Dahiya, teaches mathematics, and his mother, Babita Dahiya, teaches economics in Delhi government schools. Despite the academic emphasis at home, young Tejasvi chose cricket, a decision that required significant family support and personal sacrifice.

He trained rigorously under coach Sanjay Bhardwaj at the LB Shastri Club in Delhi. At just 15-16 years old, he was made captain to build mental maturity. Dahiya also underwent a tough "gurukul-style" training stint in Bhopal, involving phone restrictions and intense discipline after going unsold in the 2025 IPL auction.

A self-proclaimed fan of Virender Sehwag, Dahiya developed a fearless, attacking batting style early on.

Domestic Career and Breakthrough

Dahiya represents Delhi in domestic cricket as a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter (with occasional right-arm offbreak bowling). He progressed through age-group and state setups before making his mark in senior cricket.

Key Highlights:

• List A Debut (2024 Vijay Hazare Trophy): Scored a stunning 114 off 78 balls against Tripura — one of the rare centuries on List A debut.
• Delhi Premier League (DPL): Emerged as a star, especially in 2025 for South Delhi Superstarz. He scored 339 runs at a strike rate of ~190, smashing 29 sixes (leading the tournament). A standout 12-ball fifty and a 69 off 21 (SR 328+) in a rain-affected chase showcased his power-hitting.
• T20 Stats: 113 runs at an average of 56.50 and strike rate of ~168, with a top score of 53*.

IPL Journey with KKR

Unsold in IPL 2025, Dahiya entered the 2026 auction at a base price of ₹30 lakh. A bidding war involving MI, RR, and KKR ended with KKR securing him for ₹3 crore.

KKR saw him as a high-impact finisher and backup wicketkeeper. As of early IPL 2026, he featured in squads and intra-squad games, earning praise for clean keeping and timing with the bat. His entry as concussion sub against MI highlights KKR’s trust in his readiness.