Raghuvanshi proves KKR's IPL betting wisdom with massive display

Angkrish Raghuvanshi showcases his batting prowess with a massive display for KKR in IPL 2026, solidifying his place in the team.

Raghuvanshi's Exceptional Talent Continues to Impress Angkrish Raghuvanshi has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent, even at a young age. At 17, he was India's top scorer at the Under-19 World Cup in 2022. Two years later, at 19, he became a regular for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2024. Now, before his 22nd birthday, he is the team's leading Indian batter in IPL 2026. His incredible journey showcases his dedication and natural ability, making him a valuable asset to the team. ## KKR's Betting on Raghuvanshi Pays Off KKR has made a few errors in the past when deciding which Indian batters to back between seasons and transitions. However, their decision to invest heavily in Raghuvanshi has proven to be a wise one. They were so confident in his abilities that they even considered allowing him to work on his wicketkeeping skills during the 2025-26 domestic campaign. Although he has consistently delivered with his batting, the team has come to appreciate his all-around skills. ## Raghuvanshi's Masterclass Against Gujarat Titans Angkrish Raghuvanshi walked in after Ajinkya Rahane fell for a run-a-ball 14 against Gujarat Titans. He was welcomed with a length delivery outside off from Mohammed Siraj, but shouldered arms, and the ball narrowly missed the stumps. His survival of a close lbw shout from Kagiso Rabada, off his fifth ball, was a significant moment. However, what followed left everyone in awe. ## Raghuvanshi's Stunning Innings Continues Rabada delivered another full-pace length ball outside off, but Raghuvanshi had seen enough. He got low, scooped Rabada over fine leg for six, unlocking a new level of aggression in his game. He soon deposited Jason Holder over fine leg with a pick-up flick and creamed R Sai Kishore over cover with a lofted drive, both for sixes. Finn Allen had captivated the opposition and the home crowd with his 35-ball 93, but Raghuvanshi's innings took center stage. ## Raghuvanshi's Record-Breaking Fifty Raghuvanshi revealed that his role at the start of the innings was to give Finn Allen the strike and watch from the other end, which he did. Once Allen departed, Rashid Khan bore the brunt of Raghuvanshi's timing, first a four through long-off, then a half-tracker spotted early and sent soaring over midwicket for a six. He raised his bat for fifty in the 17th over, getting there in 33 balls, joining an elite group of youngsters in the IPL: only Rishabh Pant (2018), Devdutt Padikkal (2020) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (2023) have scored five or more IPL fifties before turning 22. ## Raghuvanshi's Unstoppable Form Continues With time running out and plenty of runs still on offer on a flat Eden Gardens surface, Raghuvanshi's next challenge was to make the most of his time at the crease. He had threatened to do so all season and finally, it came to pass. He chose the 19th over, bowled by Mohammed Siraj, and lofted him over extra cover for six. Two balls later, he crouched low and scooped Siraj's full toss over fine leg for another six. Next ball, Siraj predictably went slower, but Raghuvanshi waited before moving across and swiping him over fine leg for six more. ## Raghuvanshi's Dominant Performance The next ball, Siraj slowed down, and Raghuvanshi swiped him over fine leg for six more. He capped off the sequence of three sixes in four balls by swatting a boundary between the wicketkeeper and short third for a 25-run over. His innings continued to impress, and he finished unbeaten on 82 off 44 balls, showcasing his incredible batting prowess. His performance has solidified his place in the team and made him a contender for future Indian selection. ## Raghuvanshi's Thoughts on His Addiction to Batting In a post-match interview, Raghuvanshi revealed his addiction to batting: "They have to kick me out of the nets," he said. "I hit a lot of balls. Ever since I was a kid, my coach Abhishek Nayar has gotten me used to hitting a thousand balls a day." His dedication to batting has certainly paid off, and he continues to impress with his performances on the field. ## Raghuvanshi's Stats and Records Raghuvanshi's impressive form has seen him score 163 runs in seven innings in his debut IPL season in 2024, 300 runs in 11 innings last season, and 422 runs in 12 innings this season. He has become the most successful non-opening Indian batter this season, with only Cooper Connolly (436) and Heinrich Klaasen (508) scoring more among non-openers this season. His career T20 strike rate of 136 has been one reason why he is not yet spoken about as an India contender, but his performances continue to make a strong case for his selection.