Gopalganj’s ‘Rabada’ Sakib Hussain, a destiny’s child, adapts and delivers on debut
Sakib Hussain finally got his IPL chance with Sunrisers Hyderabad and made it count. From humble beginnings and years of waiting, he relied on control and clever variations rather than just pace, making an instant impact.
NEW DELHI: Sakib Hussain had to wait a long time for his IPL moment. And when it arrived, he grabbed it with both hands. After being part of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 without getting a game and going unsold in the 2025 auction, the 21-year-old finally found an opportunity with Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026 - and he returned the favour with a spell of 4-0-24-4 on debut.
Alongside Praful Hinge, Sakib delivered a performance against Rajasthan Royals on Monday that stood out not just for impact, but for his game awareness. Known in local circuits for his pace, the young pacer showed a different side to his game, cleverly mixing his lengths and relying heavily on off-pace deliveries. Three of his four wickets came through change of pace rather than outright speed.
Having once been labelled the “Rabada of Gopalganj” for his ability to generate pace with a tennis ball, Sakib’s debut was more about adaptation and growth. The comparison, rooted in his early days, took a back seat as he showed control and game awareness on the big stage. At Sunrisers Hyderabad, he also found backing from bowling coach Varun Aaron - himself a former tearaway quick - who has worked closely with young fast bowlers.
That support reflected in the confidence Sakib showed on debut, executing plans rather than relying purely on natural attributes. The making of Sakib Hussain With speeds touching 140-plus, Sakib had created a buzz in Bihar’s cricketing circuit long before the IPL call-up. As they say locally, “bhaukaal machana,” he did exactly that with a tennis ball.
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