Bhopal's Rising Star: Aniket Verma Makes His Way to IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad

In an exciting development for Madhya Pradesh, young cricketer Aniket Verma from Bhopal will soon be making his debut in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The 20-year-old batsman has been selected by Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL auction, fetching a price of Rs 30 lakh. Aniket’s selection is not only a personal victory but also a proud moment for the Bhopal Division Cricket Association (BDCA), as he is the first player from the association to step onto the IPL stage. But who is Aniket Verma, and what’s the journey that led him here? Let’s take a closer look at his story.

A Challenging Start and Supportive Family

Aniket’s early years were not easy. Originally from Ashoka Garden, Bhopal, he lost his mother when he was just a few months old. Following this loss, Aniket’s father remarried, and Aniket was raised by his uncle, Amit Verma, who took him in as his own. His uncle played a crucial role in nurturing and supporting him, especially during his formative years.

At the age of 10, Aniket joined the Railway Youth Academy, where he began receiving formal cricket training. Under the guidance of coach Nandjit Singh, Aniket learned the fundamentals of the sport. Impressed by his budding talent, coach Singh recommended him to Ankur Academy, where he continued to develop his skills with the help of chief coach Jyoti Prakash Tyagi. Later, he joined Faith Academy, and from there, his training intensified, refining his cricket techniques and enhancing his competitive edge.

The Road to IPL

Aniket is currently a member of Madhya Pradesh’s Under-23 cricket team and is participating in the Bapuna Cup tournament in Nagpur. His path to the IPL was paved with strong performances in regional tournaments. 

Two years ago, Aniket caught everyone’s attention when he scored an impressive 407 runs in a divisional tournament match against Chambal. His remarkable performance continued in the Madhya Pradesh Cricket League (MPL) held in Gwalior last year, where he represented the Bhopal Leopard team.

Aniket’s outstanding performance in MPL earned him recognition, and he soon emerged as a promising candidate for the IPL. His consistent displays of skill and talent in these competitions put him in the spotlight, eventually leading to his selection in the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad.

Madhya Pradesh’s Presence in IPL

Aniket joins a distinguished line-up of players from Madhya Pradesh who have played in the IPL. Although he is the first from Bhopal’s BDCA to reach the IPL, he follows in the footsteps of cricketers like Mohnish Mishra and Shashank Singh, both of whom hail from Bhopal but reached the IPL via other regional divisions. 

Additionally, Madhya Pradesh has contributed several players to the IPL over the years, including Venkatesh Iyer, Rajat Patidar, Avesh Khan, Ashutosh Sharma, Arshad Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Madhav Tiwari, Kulwant Khejroliya, and Kumar Karthikeya.

A Promising Future Ahead

As Aniket Verma prepares to don the Sunrisers Hyderabad jersey, cricket enthusiasts in Madhya Pradesh and across the country eagerly await his performance on the IPL stage. His journey from a young boy with a passion for cricket to an IPL player is a story of resilience, hard work, and unwavering family support. With a bright future ahead, Aniket’s debut could be the beginning of a remarkable career, inspiring countless young athletes in Madhya Pradesh and beyond.