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'Sourav Sir Said..', DC's Kumar Kushagra Reveals How Ganguly's Call Led To His IPL Selection

image-lqughdcuKumar Kushagra (Twitter)

Jharkhand's rising young talent Kumar Kushagra revealed how one phone call from former India captain and Delhi Capitals (DC) director of cricket, Sourav Ganguly, changed his life entirely as the batter got picked to play for the franchise at the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Kushagra revealed he got a phone call from Ganguly, whose association with the Capitals involves supervising the scouting set-up, ahead of the Deodhar Trophy final in August, where the giant of Indian cricket called the youngster up for a trial camp with the franchise. 

The 19-year-old player had emerged as the sixth-highest run-maker of the zonal List A competition with 227 runs in just five innings at a strike-rate of 109.13. He made a fifty for East Zone in the summit clash versus the eventual winners, South Zone. 


Sourav Sir called me and praised my performances: Kushagra

It was before that game that Ganguly, impressed by Kushagra's ability and stroke-making qualities, asked him if he would be keen to join the Capitals for trials ahead of IPL 2024. 

Ganguly didn't directly call Kushagra but requested the commentators operational during the Deodhar Trophy final to approach the promising talent with his message. 

"He told me that Sourav sir has called me for a trial at Delhi Capitals. I was a little confused then, since the IPL auction was far away (the final was in August)," he said, even as Jharkhand's cricket association initially denied him permission for the same. It required a direct intervention from Ganguly for common sense to prevail. 

"Sourav sir called me personally. He said that Delhi Capitals are looking at me for their squad. He praised my performances over the past two years and wanted to see me play."

"I participated in a camp in Gurugram and did well in a trial match. I played in another camp in Bengaluru, scoring 60-odd runs in 25 balls. In Kolkata, I scored 60-odd runs again, this time in 23 balls," he added. 

As it transpired, Ganguly voted for Kushagra's influx in the Capitals squad at the mini-auction held in Dubai and roped in the talented batter for a life-changing sum of INR 7.20 crores.