Who is Sushant Mishra? Rajasthan Royals sign Jharkhand left-arm pacer for ₹90 lakh

Sushant Mishra, the left-arm medium pacer from Ranchi, was bought by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for ₹90 lakh at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction following a competitive bidding war involving Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Mishra, who has steadily built a reputation as a promising fast-bowling prospect, adds depth and variety to RR’s pace attack ahead of the new season.

A product of India’s junior cricket system, Mishra honed his skills under the guidance of former India captain Rahul Dravid during his formative years. His breakthrough came when he was selected for the Indian squad at the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Mishra played a key role in India’s title-winning campaign, picking up seven wickets at an impressive average of 19.85. One of his standout performances came against arch-rivals Pakistan, where he claimed a crucial three-wicket haul. His consistent displays earned widespread attention and marked him as a player to watch.

Following the U-19 World Cup, Mishra’s performances impressed the Jharkhand selectors, paving the way for his senior domestic debut. He made his List A debut against Delhi in Mohali during the 2021–22 Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2021. Just a few months later, in February 2022, Mishra made his first-class debut for Jharkhand in the 2021–22 Ranji Trophy against Chhattisgarh. Despite Jharkhand ending up on the losing side, Mishra delivered an eye-catching performance, claiming six wickets across both innings.

He continued his rise in domestic cricket, picking up over 20 wickets in just seven first-class matches, showcasing his ability to extract movement and maintain discipline with the ball. These performances did not go unnoticed, and Mishra attracted strong interest from IPL franchises ahead of the 2024 auction. Starting at a base price of ₹20 lakh, his value surged to ₹2.20 crore before Gujarat Titans eventually secured his services. However, he did not get an opportunity to feature in the playing XI.

Now with Rajasthan Royals, the champions of the inaugural IPL season, Mishra will be eager to make the most of his second chance. RR will look to utilise his left-arm angle and youth as they aim to strengthen their bowling unit and push for another IPL title.