SRINAGAR: Kashmir fast bowler Rasikh Salam Dar has emerged as one of the biggest success stories of IPL 2026 after playing a decisive role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign with a series of impactful performances throughout the season.
The 26-year-old pacer from Kulgam delivered one of the defining spells of the IPL final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, returning figures of 3 for 27 against Gujarat Titans as RCB restricted the opposition to 155 for 8 before sealing the title by five wickets.
Rasikh struck at crucial moments, dismissing Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan to derail Gujarat Titans’ innings. His performance also made him only the second uncapped player in IPL history to take three or more wickets in a tournament final.
Rasikh Salam finished the IPL 2026 season with a bowling average of 21.32. Playing for champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he claimed 19 wickets in 12 matches and recorded an economy rate of 9.40.
He finished as the leading wicket-taker among uncapped players in the tournament. His consistent performances came despite operating alongside established international bowlers such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood in the RCB pace attack.
Former India pacer Varun Aaron described Rasikh as a bowler who quietly provided “stability” to the RCB bowling unit throughout the season. Analysts credited his ability to execute yorkers, slower balls and knuckle deliveries under pressure as a key factor behind his success.
Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody termed Rasikh “exceptional”, saying his variations and control made him an ideal support bowler in the RCB attack.
For Rasikh, however, the rise to IPL stardom has come after years of struggle and setbacks.
Born in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, Rasikh spent several years travelling to Srinagar for cricket trials without success. His breakthrough came around 2018 when former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan spotted his potential during talent scouting assignments in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pathan later recalled that Rasikh had initially walked away from the trials, believing nothing would change after repeated disappointments in earlier years. Impressed by the youngster’s natural pace and movement, Pathan arranged for him to play practice matches with senior cricketers and later helped facilitate his stay in Srinagar for regular training.
His performances soon attracted IPL scouts, leading to his selection by Mumbai Indians in 2019. Rasikh made his IPL debut at just 17 years of age and was regarded as one of the brightest fast-bowling prospects from Jammu and Kashmir.
His journey, however, soon hit turbulence when the BCCI imposed a two-year ban over a discrepancy related to his birth certificate. The setback temporarily halted his progress and forced him away from competitive cricket at a critical phase of his career.
Despite the controversy, Rasikh continued training and rebuilding his game. He later attended Kolkata Knight Riders trials, where coaches and scouts reportedly appreciated both his bowling ability and professional attitude.
Injuries posed another challenge, with Rasikh undergoing an extended rehabilitation phase in Bengaluru, spending months working on recovery and technical corrections to his bowling action.
His persistence eventually paid off. After stints with Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru invested heavily in the Kashmir pacer and retained faith in him despite limited opportunities initially.
That faith translated into results in IPL 2026, as Rasikh established himself as one of the most effective uncapped bowlers in the competition.
Meanwhile, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Rasikh for his performances and contribution to RCB’s title triumph.
They said his achievement had brought pride to Jammu and Kashmir and inspired young sportspersons across the Union Territory.
National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar also felicitated the cricketer, describing Rasikh’s success as a proud moment for Kulgam and Kashmir.
From repeated rejection at local trials to becoming one of the standout performers in an IPL-winning campaign, Rasikh Salam Dar’s comeback story has become one of the most remarkable sporting journeys to emerge from Kashmir in recent years.
