Shivang Kumar biography highlights the inspiring and highly unusual journey of a rising Indian cricketer who made his mark in the Indian Premier League. Originally a right-handed top-order batter, he underwent a dramatic transformation into a left-arm wrist-spinner (chinaman) under the meticulous guidance of his father. As of 2026, he represents Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

His path to top-flight franchise cricket is a story of resilience and bold decisions. After initially walking away from the sport following youth-level rejections, he returned with renewed passion and a completely revamped skill set. His ability to deceive batters with sharp googlies and extract significant revs on the ball quickly made him a standout prospect in the domestic circuit.

Securing an IPL contract and making his debut at the iconic Eden Gardens in 2026, Shivang represents a unique tactical weapon for his franchise. With the added advantage of being a capable batter who can contribute valuable runs down the order, he is widely viewed as an exciting all-round talent with a highly promising future in Indian cricket.

👤 Profile at a Glance

Full Name Shivang Kumar
Date of Birth May 26, 2002
Age 24 years old
Birthplace Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nationality Indian
Profession Cricketer
Education Local schooling
Marital Status Single
Net Worth Undisclosed

🎓 Education

Shivang Kumar completed his foundational education while his family moved due to his father's employment with the Indian Railways. He spent his formative years in areas like Moradabad and later Rewa, a region known for producing fast bowlers.

He prioritized his intense, highly specialized cricket training from a young age, particularly during the transformative period when he switched his primary bowling arm and style.

💼 Career

Shivang Kumar's domestic career began to flourish after his transformation into a left-arm wrist-spinner. Representing Madhya Pradesh, he impressed significantly in the 2025-26 domestic season. During the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he claimed 10 wickets in just three matches, including a sensational five-wicket haul (5/45) against a strong Karnataka side. He also demonstrated his batting capabilities by scoring a List A half-century (67 off 69 balls) against Jharkhand.

He continued his fine form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, picking up crucial wickets and showcasing his T20 potential. His performances in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League for the Bhopal Leopards further cemented his reputation as a genuine match-winner.

His domestic exploits caught the attention of several IPL franchises. After attending trials with teams like the Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals, he was eventually acquired by the Sunrisers Hyderabad at his base price of INR 30 lakh in the 2026 IPL mini-auction.

Shivang made his highly anticipated IPL debut on April 2, 2026, against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. SRH captain Ishan Kishan handed him his debut cap, praising his impressive performances in the practice nets. During the 2026 season, he proved to be a valuable asset for the franchise, picking up crucial wickets in the middle overs.

🏠 Personal Life

Shivang Kumar was born to Praveen Kumar, a Chief Ticket Inspector in the Indian Railways and a former Bengal U-19 cricketer. His father has been the defining influence in his career, acting as his primary coach and mentor. In a remarkably bold move, his father conceptualized and executed Shivang's transition from a natural right-hander into a left-arm wrist-spinner, designing rigorous training schedules involving bowling 25 overs a day at a single stump.

Shivang's journey was not without major setbacks. After failing to make the Under-14 state team early in his career, a disheartened Shivang quit cricket entirely for five months. However, watching the biographical film 'MS Dhoni: The Untold Story' deeply inspired him, prompting him to return to the game with a renewed, unshakable focus.

Off the field, he remains grounded and deeply appreciative of his family's sacrifices, continually striving to fulfill the cricketing dreams that his father once harbored for himself.

🏆 Achievements & Awards

  • Made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2026
  • Signed by SRH for INR 30 lakh in the 2026 IPL auction
  • Took a 5-wicket haul (5/45) against Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
  • Scored a List A half-century against Jharkhand (2025-26)

💬 Notable Quotes

My father's decision to switch my bowling style was a masterpiece that changed my career.

— Shivang Kumar

❓ People Also Ask

Shivang Kumar is an Indian all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh who plays as a left-arm wrist-spinner and a capable batter.
He plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who bought him for INR 30 lakh in the 2026 auction.
Despite being naturally right-handed and starting his career as a top-order batter, his father trained him to become a left-arm wrist-spinner (chinaman bowler).
He briefly quit cricket for five months after failing to make the Under-14 team, but returned to the sport after being inspired by the MS Dhoni biopic.