NEW DELHI: A young batter facing Jasprit Bumrah for the first time would normally feel the weight of the occasion—nerves, tension, maybe even a touch of fear. Yet in the IPL 2026 meeting between SRH and MI, 23-year-old Salil Arora looked completely unfazed. The standout moment came in the form of a breathtaking no-look maximum that sailed straight over Bumrah’s head, immediately grabbing the attention of everyone in the ground.
The audacious shot also drew a reaction from Heinrich Klaasen, stationed at the non-striker’s end. After the game, Klaasen shared details of the moment during the post-match conversation with broadcasters: “He asked me if he could hit it when 11 were needed off 12, and I told him yes—finish the game.”
Arora remained unbeaten on 30 off just 10 deliveries, striking three sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 300. It was not only Bumrah he challenged either—he also attacked Hardik Pandya, carting two sixes. One of those hits was particularly memorable: a sharp short-arm pull. Salil picked the length early, rotated into position, and launched the ball over mid-wicket, leaving Pandya caught off guard.
The 750-ball practice every day
Behind that fearless finishing lies a disciplined routine. For close to one-and-a-half years, Salil has been working intensely, taking roughly 250 balls in a session and doing it three times a day. Much of the work often comes with a Cosco ball. He has also trained alongside side-arm throwers, recreating the pace of around 140–150 kmph to ensure he is match-ready for the demands of the IPL.
So when Bumrah released one into the slot, Salil was prepared. No hesitation, no hesitation about what to do next—just clean execution.
“Slot mein aayegi toh chakka jaayega,” Arora’s coach Rajan Gill recalled the kind of line his trainee used to repeat during training days.
As Gill explained, this was not a random moment—it was the outcome of a clear plan, detailed preparation, and deliberate IPL-focused work. “He didn’t even look at Bumrah. He just watched the ball. If it comes into the slot, he won’t let it go. The ball will go over the fence, that’s for sure. This is the result of one and a half years of hard work. We practised using a Cosco [tennis] ball. If you watch his bat speed, that’s something you have to see. He’s put a lot into that,” Gill said.
Gill also broke down how the daily practice is structured. “We decided to have three sessions each day, and all of them involve Cosco [tennis] balls. Each session has about 200 to 250 deliveries, so in total we are looking at almost 600 to 700 balls a day. The sessions are split into three parts: first with regular balls, second with wet balls delivered by fast bowlers, and third with taped balls. Sometimes we also practise with white and red leather balls, but Cosco-ball training is the main focus. And whenever he comes to the ground, he never sits idle—he’s always doing something: fielding, or even wicketkeeping at times,” he added.
He challenged the idea that success simply comes from chasing huge ball counts. “People say they face 1,500 or 2,000 balls in a day. I don’t believe in that formula. Practice has to be purposeful—with clarity and the right mindset. Just facing 2,000 balls won’t make a player. Even if someone faces 100 balls with quality, they can still become one,” Gill said.
Gill further noted that Salil works on scoring shots while attacking close to his body—what is commonly referred to as the short-arm jab. “We used stick bowlers and throwdown specialists for that, and some of them can simulate speeds of 140–150 kmph,” he said.
How Salil caught Ishan Kishan’s eyes
Salil’s most eye-catching knocks before his IPL call-up came in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, particularly in the season when he caught the attention of Ishan Kishan. Playing for Jharkhand, he produced a memorable performance by smashing an unbeaten 125 off just 45 balls, smashing 11 sixes in a display that underlined his power-hitting.
Ishan, who was captain for the opposition, watched that damage from close range as the youngster cleared the ropes with ease.
Salil ended the tournament with 358 runs across eight innings, maintaining a strike rate of 198.88. His 28 sixes placed him as the second-highest six-hitter in the competition.
His coach said that particular innings left a lasting impression and played a role in Salil securing a Rs 1.50 crore contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of IPL 2026. “That match changed everything for Salil. After that game, he talked a lot about Ishan Kishan. As a senior player and captain, Ishan spoke to him, praised his knock, and also shared a few tips,” Gill said.
Even without an IPL-ready track record, Sunrisers Hyderabad showed strong intent during the auction, with Salil’s domestic performances doing much of the heavy lifting. The franchise also leaned on his early promise in practice games, where he produced a few striking cameos that encouraged the team management to back him from the start of the campaign.
Fate played its part as well. With regular captain Pat Cummins unavailable, Kishan initially led SRH, and Salil was even moved up the order in the opening matches—ahead of Aniket Verma in those early games.
In his first seven appearances, Salil posted scores of 9 versus RCB, 0 versus KKR, 9 versus Punjab Kings, 24* versus Rajasthan Royals, 13 versus CSK, 8* versus Rajasthan Royals. While those numbers may not look spectacular, Gill noted that the team’s faith in his potential never wavered.
That belief eventually paid off. His explosive 30 off 10 balls—especially the stunning six off Jasprit Bumrah—showed why the management kept giving him opportunities. Gill added: “He used to say, ‘Sir, jab tak 6-7 chakke na ho, innings mein maza nahi aata.’ He had a good run in SRH practice matches, and that’s how he earned the captain’s confidence. Salil also often says that Heinrich Klaasen has taught him a lot and given him plenty of tips. Ishan Kishan also really likes him and backs him. ‘Tu bas khel jaise khelta hai, zyada sochna nahi hai. Tu achha khelta hai,’—Ishan keeps telling him: you just play the way you play, don’t overthink, you’ll deliver really well.”
Fulfilling his father’s dream
Salil’s path to this stage has not been smooth. After his father passed away two years ago, his elder brother took charge of the family business so that Salil could continue pursuing the dream they shared—becoming a cricketer, playing in the IPL, and one day representing India.
It was a tough period, filled with challenges that could have derailed his progress. Still, his coach believes Salil’s focus on his goal never disappeared. He kept working on his game, widening his shot-making options and staying committed even when setbacks arrived.
“He was devastated. It took some time for his family and me to help him come to terms with it. He is still young and was very close to his father. His father had only one dream—to see his son play for India and in the IPL. One dream has already been fulfilled, and I’m sure he will represent India someday as well,” Gill said.
Salil: a pooja-paath kind of boy
Many cricketers have rituals before matches, and for Salil, it begins with a visit to the temple. Whether it’s a local tournament, state-level cricket, or the IPL, he makes a point to find a temple, offer his prayers, and then step onto the field.
“He is a pooja-paath kind of boy. I remember one incident when he had a match—he woke up early in the morning and went looking for a temple to offer prayers,” Gill said.
The coach also highlighted Salil’s habits off the field. “In fact, he doesn’t drink. He is a teetotaller. Even at Sunrisers Hyderabad parties, he prefers to sit with a glass of haldi wala doodh (turmeric milk),” Gill added.
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