Who is Kuldeep Sen? – All you need to know about RR’s pace sensation

Rajasthan Royals managed to defend 165 against Lucknow Super Giants despite the late scare from Marcus Stoinis, thanks to an excellent final over from Kuldeep Sen on his IPL debut. Needing 15 to win in the final over, Stoinis was looking to take the game away from Rajasthan with some thunderous hitting in the last few overs and the youngster Sen was under huge pressure to deliver in his very first game.

Sen replaced Navdeep Saini in the playing XI and skipper Sanju Samson had bowled out all his premier fast bowlers before the 20th over. Samson’s decision to back the youngster paid off as Sen kept a calm head and won his side the game by three runs. With Lasith Malinga as the bowling coach for the Royals, Sen will only get better from here and his ability to clock speeds above 140 kmph consistently will be an added bonus.

In the last over, Avesh Khan took a single off the very first delivery. Sen bowled two quick full deliveries which were in the slot for Stoinis to capitalise, however, he was done by the pace of the 25-year-old. Stoinis desperately needed a boundary with 14 needed off three deliveries, but he missed another full delivery outside off as Sen sealed the deal for the Royals. The speedster finished with 1 for 35.

Here are a few facts you need to know about Kuldeep Sen:

1. Kuldeep Sen was born on October 22, 1996.

2. Sen made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy fixture against Tamil Nadu in 2018.

3. Sen picked up his first five-wicket haul against Punjab in November 2018 and finished with seven wickets in the first-class game.

4. The right-arm pacer made his T20 debut against Mumbai in Indore in 2019 after an impressive start in first-class cricket.

5. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali 2021-22 season, he picked up four wickets in five games at an economy rate of 7.75 for Madhya Pradesh.

6. He earned his maiden IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals in the mega auction at his base price of INR 20 lakh.

7. Sen’s father works as a barber and the speedster was advised not to take up cricket by his family during his early days.