Left-arm wrist spinner Shivang Kumar has set his sights firmly on an India cap as the “ultimate goal,” the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Madhya Pradesh all-rounder said after a promising debut season in IPL 2026, where he claimed nine wickets in 13 matches. The New Delhi-based cricketer also served as a net bowler with the Indian Test squad during assignments in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, adding credibility to his growing profile.

The IPL Debut: From Hint to Regular

Shivang revealed that he received strong signals about his role right from SRH’s pre-season camp. “I had received hints right from the first day of the pre-season camp that I was going to feature in the playing XI from the very first match,” he said. “The coaches were discussing strategies with me, setting up different scenarios for my bowling, and even telling me, ‘you are our wicket-taker.’”

Though he missed the opening game, Shivang became a regular from the second match onwards. A slow start gave way to a crucial breakthrough in his third match, against the Punjab Kings, and he never looked back. “The team management was very positive and confident that I would do well. Because of their confidence, I developed the self-belief that I could perform well even at this level,” he added.

Support from Vettori and Varun Aaron

A significant part of Shivang’s growth, he acknowledged, came from SRH’s coaching staff — particularly head coach Daniel Vettori and bowling coach Varun Aaron. Being a former spinner himself, Vettori reportedly offered reassurance during difficult overs. “Sometimes, when I leaked runs and went wicketless for a couple of games, he would come up to me during the strategic timeouts and tell me, ‘You are bowling well; even good balls can be hit for sixes, so don’t think much about it,’” Shivang recalled.

Aaron’s mentorship proved equally pivotal. “If I didn’t bowl well or went for runs in a match, Varun bhaiya never let me feel low… he would even tell me, ‘You are bowling now at just 50% of your potential; you can do much better.’ When a player who has represented the country in Test cricket tells you things like that, it gives you a massive boost,” Shivang said.

The India Cap: ‘Still a Long Way to Go’

Despite the milestone of playing in the IPL and travelling with the Indian Test squad as a net bowler, Shivang is careful not to let early success breed complacency. “IPL is not the ultimate goal; India is the ultimate goal. There is still a long way to go, a lot of cricket to play. This was just the first season, and it was only the beginning,” he said, according to reports.

Notably, left-arm wrist spin — Shivang’s primary art — remains one of the rarest skills in world cricket, giving him a distinct edge in a market where variety is prized. His inclusion in the India net-bowling group underlines that selectors are already tracking his development closely.

The Batting Dimension

What makes Shivang’s profile even more compelling is his batting. Though he had limited opportunities in SRH’s deep batting order during IPL 2026, he has been in fine touch with the bat in the ongoing Madhya Pradesh Premier League, striking at a remarkable 180.22 strike rate. “I want to show the world that I can bat. I started my cricket career purely as a batter. SRH’s batting line-up is so deep that I barely got a chance. But they know my batting capabilities, and they encourage me too,” he said.

With the domestic season ahead and another IPL cycle approaching, all eyes will be on whether Shivang can translate his promise into the consistent performances that earn a maiden India call-up.