The IPL 2025 mega-auction took place in November 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The auction had many notable events including 13-year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi being sold in the auction for 1.10 crores and Rishabh Pant becoming the most expensive player in the IPL auction history after being sold for 27 crores to the Lucknow Super Giants. Another notable event in the auction was Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) purchasing Rasikh Salam for INR 6 crore and making him the most expensive uncapped player in the auction.
Rasikh Salam is a 24 year old medium-fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir. He recently played in multiple matches for Jammu and Kashmir in the Vijay Hazare trophy and the Syed Musthaq Ali trophy.
Here are 5 facts you didn't know about Rasikh Salam
Two-ball trial
Rasikh Salam was scouted by former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan. Irfan recollects how Rasikh was among 75 other kids at that selection camp. However the former Indian pacer just needed two balls to recognize the boy’s talent and he was asked to stop.
Youngest debutant for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019
Rasikh Salam became the youngest player to make a debut for the Mumbai Indians in the 2019 IPL when he played against the Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede stadium.
One of the earliest cricketers to play in the IPL
Rasikh Salam is amongst the first three players from Jammu and Kashmir to play in the Indian Premier League alongside Parvez Rasool and Umran Malik. He has played at Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders till now and is in RCB’s squad for the upcoming edition.
2-year ban for age fraud
Rasikh was banned by the BCCI for two years for age fraud. There were discrepancies found in his birth certificate and school leaving certificate leading to a two year ban and caused Rasikh to be away from competitive cricket in that period.
Comeback in the IPL
Rasikh made a comeback in his career after being picked by KKR in the 2022 auction. However he only played 2 matches with the Kolkata outfit and couldn't pick up any wickets in his stint there. He was later bought by the Delhi Capitals in the 2024 auction and played a total of 8 matches picking up 9 wickets in the process.
