Meet Nishanth Saranu, nearly 7-foot tall MI net bowler to watch out for in IPL 2025 mega auction

Hyderabad pacer Nishanth Saranu is quickly becoming a player to watch out for in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Standing at an impressive 6 foot 9 inches, the 19-year-old made his Ranji Trophy debut for Hyderabad in their opening match against Gujarat. Before entering the domestic spotlight, Saranu was already turning heads as a net bowler for the Mumbai Indians (MI) during the IPL 2024 and even for the Pakistan cricket team during the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Saranu’s journey into cricket began as a personal fitness goal, but it has since blossomed into an inspiring career. His early exposure to high-level cricket came as a net bowler, where he helped players like Babar Azam and the Pakistan team prepare for their World Cup matches in Hyderabad. Later, he caught the attention of Rahul Dravid during India’s Test series against England, further establishing himself as a promising talent.

Saranu’s inclusion as a net bowler for MI in IPL 2024 was recommended by bowling coach TA Sekhar, who had spotted his potential in the Cooch Behar Trophy and Vijay Merchant tournaments. “It was a big learning curve,” Saranu shared, mentioning how bowling to top players and gaining insights from fellow pacers like Gerald Coetzee helped him grow.

Saranu also credits Pakistan’s Haris Rauf for giving him crucial advice. “Haris Rauf told me that as I grow older, I’ll naturally gain more pace as I build muscle,” he revealed. With this blend of guidance and experience, Nishanth Saranu is poised to make waves in the IPL 2025 mega auction.