NEW DELHI: A young batter facing Jasprit Bumrah for the first time would normally feel the weight of the occasion\u2014nerves, 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\u2019s head, immediately grabbing the attention of everyone in the ground.<\/p>\n
The audacious shot also drew a reaction from Heinrich Klaasen, stationed at the non-striker\u2019s end. After the game, Klaasen shared details of the moment during the post-match conversation with broadcasters: \u201cHe asked me if he could hit it when 11 were needed off 12, and I told him yes\u2014finish the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2014he 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2013150 kmph to ensure he is match-ready for the demands of the IPL.<\/p>\n
So when Bumrah released one into the slot, Salil was prepared. No hesitation, no hesitation about what to do next\u2014just clean execution.<\/p>\n
\u201cSlot mein aayegi toh chakka jaayega,\u201d Arora\u2019s coach Rajan Gill recalled the kind of line his trainee used to repeat during training days.<\/p>\n
As Gill explained, this was not a random moment\u2014it was the outcome of a clear plan, detailed preparation, and deliberate IPL-focused work. \u201cHe didn\u2019t even look at Bumrah. He just watched the ball. If it comes into the slot, he won\u2019t let it go. The ball will go over the fence, that\u2019s 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\u2019s something you have to see. He\u2019s put a lot into that,\u201d Gill said.<\/p>\n
Gill also broke down how the daily practice is structured. \u201cWe 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\u2014he\u2019s always doing something: fielding, or even wicketkeeping at times,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He challenged the idea that success simply comes from chasing huge ball counts. \u201cPeople say they face 1,500 or 2,000 balls in a day. I don\u2019t believe in that formula. Practice has to be purposeful\u2014with clarity and the right mindset. Just facing 2,000 balls won\u2019t make a player. Even if someone faces 100 balls with quality, they can still become one,\u201d Gill said.<\/p>\n
Gill further noted that Salil works on scoring shots while attacking close to his body\u2014what is commonly referred to as the short-arm jab. \u201cWe used stick bowlers and throwdown specialists for that, and some of them can simulate speeds of 140\u2013150 kmph,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Salil\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Ishan, who was captain for the opposition, watched that damage from close range as the youngster cleared the ropes with ease.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cThat 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,\u201d Gill said.<\/p>\n
Even without an IPL-ready track record, Sunrisers Hyderabad showed strong intent during the auction, with Salil\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2014ahead of Aniket Verma in those early games.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s faith in his potential never wavered.<\/p>\n
That belief eventually paid off. His explosive 30 off 10 balls\u2014especially the stunning six off Jasprit Bumrah\u2014showed why the management kept giving him opportunities. Gill added: \u201cHe used to say, \u2018Sir, jab tak 6-7 chakke na ho, innings mein maza nahi aata.\u2019 He had a good run in SRH practice matches, and that\u2019s how he earned the captain\u2019s 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. \u2018Tu bas khel jaise khelta hai, zyada sochna nahi hai. Tu achha khelta hai,\u2019\u2014Ishan keeps telling him: you just play the way you play, don\u2019t overthink, you\u2019ll deliver really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salil\u2019s 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\u2014becoming a cricketer, playing in the IPL, and one day representing India.<\/p>\n
It was a tough period, filled with challenges that could have derailed his progress. Still, his coach believes Salil\u2019s focus on his goal never disappeared. He kept working on his game, widening his shot-making options and staying committed even when setbacks arrived.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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\u2014to see his son play for India and in the IPL. One dream has already been fulfilled, and I\u2019m sure he will represent India someday as well,\u201d Gill said.<\/p>\n
Many cricketers have rituals before matches, and for Salil, it begins with a visit to the temple. Whether it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a pooja-paath kind of boy. I remember one incident when he had a match\u2014he woke up early in the morning and went looking for a temple to offer prayers,\u201d Gill said.<\/p>\n
The coach also highlighted Salil\u2019s habits off the field. \u201cIn fact, he doesn\u2019t drink. He is a teetotaller. Even at Sunrisers Hyderabad parties, he prefers to sit with a glass of haldi wala doodh (turmeric milk),\u201d Gill added.<\/p>\n
Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score, IPL news, the IPL schedule, the points table, and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW DELHI: A young batter facing Jasprit Bumrah for the first time would normally feel the weight of the occasion\u2014nerves, tension, maybe even a touch…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Salil Arora vs Jasprit Bumrah No-Look Six","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"IPL 2026: Watch Salil Arora stun Jasprit Bumrah with a fearless no-look six\u2014SRH vs MI highlights, reactions, and the big moment.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n