The IPL auction shortlist is out. Among 350 players, one name is a big surprise. His name is Izaz Sawaria. He is a 20-year-old leg-spin bowler from Jaipur. He has never played a professional cricket match.
The auction will happen on December 16. Most players on the list have professional records. Sawaria does not. He has not played for India or even his state team, Rajasthan. His inclusion is rare and puzzling.
Who Is Izaz Sawaria?
Izaz Sawaria is a social media sensation. For almost a year, he has posted videos of himself bowling. These are short videos on Instagram and YouTube. They are filmed from behind the stumps. This gives a perfect front-on view of his leg-spin action.
His videos have gone viral many times. He has gained nearly 20,000 followers on Instagram. His most popular reel has over 50 million views. Two other videos have more than 25 million views each.
Support From Professional Cricketers
His talent has caught the eye of real cricket stars. Professional players often comment on his posts. They encourage him and praise his skill.
England’s World Cup-winning spinner Adil Rashid comments frequently. Ireland’s Simi Singh and Delhi Capitals bowler Vipraj Nigam have also shown support. This recognition from pros has helped his profile grow.
How Did He Get on the Auction List?
Sawaria trains at the Sanskar Academy in Jaipur. Last month, he took part in a session with Red Bull. This company also sponsors a talent hunt by the Rajasthan Royals.
To be in the IPL auction with no match experience is very unusual. It is not impossible, though. IPL scouts sometimes find talent outside the normal system. They watch local tournaments and social media. They likely recommended Sawaria for the list.
This means an IPL team could still bid for him next Tuesday. He could get a contract based purely on his visible talent and potential.
His story shows how the world of cricket scouting is changing. A player can now be noticed from his phone, not just from the scorebook.
