“I was kind of disappointed but I told myself that even if I’m not picked (in IPL Auction), it’s time to prove that I have what it takes!”

A disappointed but equally motivated Abid Mushtaq had told Revsportz in January last year, just days after the IPL 2023 auction. After all, the relentless cricketer had attended trials of as many as 7 IPL franchises, only to end up missing out on his debut IPL season. Nonetheless, he continued to look forward to the upcoming domestic tournaments, where he would go on to excel.

Cut to December 2023, the 26-year-old went under the hammer at the IPL 2024 auction, and it was the Rajasthan Royals who bought him at his base price of INR 20 lakh.

Here are 5 interesting facts to know about this upcoming sensation from Jammu & Kashmir who will be donning the Royals pink in IPL 2024:

  • Born in the Bhaderwah town of Doda District, about 150 odd km from J&K, Abid Mushtaq is a left-arm orthodox spinner and a hard-hitting batter who represents Jammu & Kashmir in domestic cricket
  • Abid's cricketing journey began at a young age, and he went on to play for J&K from the U-16 level up to the senior team.
  • In 2018, former Indian cricketer and then J&K mentor Irfan Pathan spotted Abid's talent and suggested his inclusion at the higher level
  • He made his first-class debut in 2019, and in only 20 games so far, has already picked 71 wickets with best bowling figures of 8/18 vs Vidarbha. He also racked up over 500 runs and 3 half-centuries as a pinch-hitter

  • In early 2023, the Australian Test team called up Abid as a net bowler to help them prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India
  • In the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, Abid finished as J&K's highest wicket-taker with 32 scalps to his name, at an impressive average of 14.37 and a miserly economy of 2.95