Rasikh Salam Dar: From Kashmir Valleys to Virat Kohli dreams at RCB | Exclusive

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Rasikh Salam Dar, a talented fast bowler hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, has been making waves in Indian domestic cricket and is now set to dazzle on the biggest T20 stage in the world.

Recently emerging as the most expensive uncapped player at the IPL 2025 mega auction, Rasikh was snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for a whopping Rs 6 crore. His journey, though, has been one of grit, passion, and an unwavering belief in his abilities.

Rasikh is a known face for Indian cricket fans, having represented Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals in the IPL. Born in the lush green valleys of Kashmir, Rasikh's journey has been a topsy-turvy one. But the rejuvenated youngster from Kashmir has made a strong mark with his recent performance, which led to his gigantic IPL acquisition.

In an exclusive interview with MyKhel in Mumbai, Rasikh opened up about his cricketing journey, his performances in domestic cricket, and his excitement at joining RCB for the upcoming IPL season.

A Promising Journey from Jammu and Kashmir

Rasikh's cricketing journey began in the cricket-loving streets of Jammu and Kashmir. Like most children in the region, he started playing tennis-ball cricket, never imagining that his passion would one day take him to the heights of the IPL.

"In 2019, I got my breakthrough when I first played for the state team," Rasikh recalled. "That same year, I also made my IPL debut. It was a dream year for me."

From there, Rasikh's career has been on an upward trajectory. Despite facing injuries and challenges along the way, he consistently worked on his skills, particularly focusing on becoming a dependable death bowler.

Rasikh's performances in domestic cricket have been a testament to his growth as a player. Representing Jammu and Kashmir in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, his team has been performing well, with hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Speaking about the tournament, Rasikh said, "It's going good. We'll give it our best." His stellar performances in both red-ball and white-ball formats have made him a cornerstone of Jammu and Kashmir cricket.

In the Ranji Trophy, Rasikh has been part of a team resurgence. They are currently placed 2nd in their Elite Group with three victories out of five matches.

"We've done really well over the last few years in all formats," he noted, highlighting the contributions of other promising players from his region.

RCB: A Dream Come True

Rasikh's record-breaking IPL contract with RCB has been the highlight of his career so far. However, the young pacer remains grounded and focused on performing in the Reds of Bengaluru.

"It's a great team. I love RCB, especially Virat Bhaiya. I'm not looking at the money or the tag of being the most expensive uncapped player," he said humbly. "I just want to perform for my team and help RCB win matches. That's the main goal."

The Virat Kohli Impetus

For Rasikh, sharing the dressing room with his idol, Virat Kohli, is a dream come true. Although he never bowled to Kohli, Rasikh is relieved that he will only be bowling now to Kohli in the nets. Moreover, the youngster is also determined to showcase his skills and fire RCB to their maiden IPL title for Kohli.

"It's a big thing for me. It's like a dream come true to play with Virat Bhaiya [Virat Kohli], share the dressing room with him. Virat Bhaiya is someone we all look up to in terms of fitness, mindset, and everything. Sharing a dressing room with him will be a huge learning experience. I will try to win the matches for him as well."

Overcoming Challenges and Learning from the IPL

Rasikh's journey hasn't been without its share of challenges. After suffering an injury during his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders, he made a remarkable comeback with the Delhi Capitals, impressing everyone with his pace, accuracy, and temperament.

"I didn't do well in my first two matches for Delhi, but the management and captain backed me," Rasikh revealed. "When someone trusts you, it boosts your confidence, and that's what happened. I practiced hard for the death overs and new-ball spells, and it paid off."

Inspiration for Youngsters in Kashmir

As one of the faces of Jammu and Kashmir cricket, Rasikh takes pride in inspiring the next generation of cricketers from his region.

"There's so much talent in Jammu & Kashmir. The streets are full of young players. There were a bunch of players in the auction list and many of us got picked but I can say there's a lot of talent in Jammu and Kashmir. Somewhere we lack there in facilities but it's getting better and better day by day, hopefully, it will get better in future years and you can see many players."

Looking Ahead: Rasikh's Vision for the Future

While Rasikh has excelled in limited-overs cricket, his ultimate dream is to represent India across all formats. "I don't care whether the ball is red or white," he said passionately. "The goal is to play for India, and I'll keep working towards that."

The Favourites

Rasikh is also keen to further develop his skills with the support of RCB's experienced players and coaching staff. Among his favourites is his new RCB teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

"I admire bowlers like Dale Steyn and among the Indian bowlers - Shami [Mohammed Shami] bhai, Bhuvi [Bhuvaneshwar Kumar] bhai. I love him [Bhuvneshwar] a lot, I am a similar kind of bowler to Bhuvi bhai, he's in RCB now, I will try to get as much as possible from him."

The Root Connection

Despite his growing stature in the cricketing world, Rasikh remains deeply connected to his roots. His love for family, friends, and the serene mountains of Kashmir keeps him grounded.

"I love spending time with my family and roaming the mountains with friends. And I love to eat any home-cooked food made by Mom" he shared.

A Message for NextGen

Although he is a youngster, when asked about his message for the next generation, Rasikh shares an important message, which is to keep believing in oneself and trust the process.

"There's going to be ups and downs in your life, like no matter where you are but you have to believe in yourself, believe in God. There are tough times but tough times don't last but tough people do. So we have to be strong, do our work what we have been doing for years and trust our process."

As Rasikh Salam Dar gears up for the next chapter in his cricketing journey, fans across the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, will be cheering for the young sensation. The IPL 2025 will be a big test for the boy from Kashmir, whose dreams of wearing the India shirt is likely hinged on his outings at the Garden City.