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IPL 2026: The Indian Premier League is famous for its “from rags to riches” narratives, but the story of Abhinandan Singh might just be the most compelling one of the 2026 season. As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) began their title defense tonight at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the inclusion of an uncapped 28-year-old pacer from Uttar Pradesh over established names raised more than a few eyebrows. However, for those inside the RCB camp, Abhinandan’s debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad was anything but a surprise.

The Man Who Conquered the King

Abhinandan Singh first became a viral sensation during the pre-season camp. Facing Virat Kohli in two separate intra-squad practice matches, the right-arm quick did what many international bowlers struggle to do: he dismissed the legendary batter twice.

His high-arm action and ability to swing the new ball both ways reportedly left Kohli impressed, echoing a similar incident years ago when Abhinandan was a net bowler. Back then, a younger Abhinandan had foxed Kohli in the Indian nets, prompting the superstar to encourage him.

From Tennis-Ball Cricket to the Big Stage

Abhinandan’s journey is a testament to late-blooming talent. Remarkably, he only transitioned to leather-ball cricket in 2020. Before that, he was a local hero in the tennis-ball circuits of Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, where he developed his raw pace.

His breakthrough came in the UP T20 League, where he spearheaded the Lucknow Falcons’ attack alongside his now-RCB teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In the 2024 season, he bagged 15 wickets in just 10 games, a performance that earned him a spot as a net bowler for the title-winning Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Why RCB Picked Him

With Josh Hazlewood unavailable due to jetlag and Yash Dayal ruled out for the season, RCB captain Rajat Patidar needed a reliable domestic spearhead. Acquired and retained for his base price of Rs 30 Lakh, Abhinandan represents a low-cost, high-reward investment.

Standing tall with a disciplined line and a deceptive bouncer, the “Pratapgarh Express” is no longer just a net-bowler or a practice-match hero. Tonight, he shares the new ball with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, looking to prove that he belongs on the grandest stage of them all.