KKR vs PBKS: Who is Chetan Sakariya? India pacer making debut for Kolkata after winning a Title With Them!

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Chetan Sakariya is making his debut for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 match today (April 26) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The left-arm pacer has been included in the side for the first time. He was roped in as a replacement for Umran Malik this season.

Who is Chetan Sakariya?

Chetan Sakariya, born on February 28, 1998, in Vartej, Gujarat, is an inspiring figure in Indian cricket. Coming from a modest background where his father worked as a tempo driver, Sakariya’s rise in cricket is a story of determination and grit. Financial struggles did not deter his ambition; he was aided by his maternal uncle and senior cricketer Sheldon Jackson, who provided early mentorship and equipment support.

Sakariya made his List A debut for Saurashtra in early 2018 and soon after entered first-class cricket, impressing everyone with a five-wicket haul on debut. His standout domestic performances led to further training at the prestigious MRF Pace Foundation under the guidance of legends like Glenn McGrath.

Chetan Sakariya IPL Journey

Rajasthan Royals (2021)

Chetan Sakariya was bought by Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.2 crore in the IPL 2021 auction. He made an instant impact, picking up 14 wickets in 14 matches, including a best bowling performance of 3/31. His ability to swing the new ball and maintain calm under pressure stood out.

Delhi Capitals (2022–2023)

Following his stint with Rajasthan, Sakariya moved to Delhi Capitals. However, opportunities were limited. Across two seasons, he played only five matches, claiming six wickets.

Kolkata Knight Riders (2024–Present)

Ahead of IPL 2024, Sakariya was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹50 lakh. Although he didn’t feature in matches during the 2024 season, his association with the franchise was renewed in 2025 when KKR roped him in as a replacement for the injured Umran Malik. On his return, Sakariya expressed heartfelt joy, mentioning that it "felt like he never left."

Chetan Sakariya IPL Stats

• Matches: 19
• Wickets: 20
• Best Bowling: 3/31
• Bowling Average: 29.95
• Economy Rate: 8.43
• Strike Rate: 21.30

International Career

Chetan Sakariya's consistent domestic and IPL performances earned him a maiden India call-up in 2021.

• ODI Debut: July 23, 2021, vs Sri Lanka – taking 2 wickets for 38 runs.
• T20I Debut: July 28, 2021, vs Sri Lanka.

He has so far represented India in one ODI and two T20 Internationals, showing promise as a left-arm option for India's pace attack.

Personal Life and Challenges

Sakariya's journey has been defined by resilience. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021, he lost his younger brother to suicide, a devastating personal blow. A few months later, he lost his father to COVID-19. Despite these tragedies, he remained focused on his cricketing journey. In a touching tribute, his IPL franchise at the time honoured his brother by adding his initials “R.K.” to Sakariya’s jersey.

Chetan Sakariya won IPL win KKR!

Chetan Sakariya won the IPL 2024 title with the Kolkata Knight Riders but didn't play a single match for them. Despite staying for almost two more years, he is making his debut for KKR today.