Punjab Kings’ newest recruit, Vishal Nishad, is gearing up for his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season and is determined to make an impression. The 20-year-old opened up about his journey during the team’s pre-season camp in Udaipur, offering a glimpse into the experiences and sacrifices that shaped his rise to the IPL.
A self-confessed admirer of the talismanic Virat Kohli, Nishad spoke about the former India captain’s influence on his cricketing aspirations. “My idol is Virat Kohli. I am inspired by his attitude and his drive; he’s my favorite,” he said.
Asked about the prospect of dismissing his idol during a match, Nishad’s response reflected both reverence and humility. “If I take his wicket, I’ll touch his feet because he’s my idol,” he said, capturing the spirit he hopes to bring to the Punjab Kings set-up.
Nishad’s journey to the IPL has been one of perseverance and family sacrifice. His journey began far from the spotlight of major cricket centres, in Jangal Ayodhya Prasad village under the Khorabar police station area of Gorakhpur. Coming through the ranks of a local T20 league, he earned his place with Punjab Kings after years of struggle and belief.
“There were tough times. I used to go with my father and help him (with work). I even thought I’d quit cricket,” Nishad recalled. “My mother told me to leave it and learn something else because becoming a cricketer is so difficult. But I didn’t give up. I told her, ‘Mom, I will definitely do it.’ Once they saw my resolve, my family stood behind me.”
Originally a tennis-ball cricketer, Nishad’s transition to professional cricket came after encouragement from a friend who noticed his natural throwing ability.
“Initially, I played tennis-ball cricket. A friend watched me throw and suggested to try the leather ball because he liked my action. After that, I decided to practise seriously. That’s how it all started,” he said.
Support from his coach also played a crucial role in his development. “My coach didn’t charge me fees for three years. Eventually, I played in a local T20 tournament in Uttar Pradesh and performed well. After two years of playing in the tournament, I landed up here (with Punjab Kings),” Nishad added.
Explaining how he found his calling as a bowler, Nishad credited his early days with the tennis ball. “As I was practising with the tennis ball initially, I got used to making it spin. I adapted my tennis-ball skills to the leather ball, which played a major role in me becoming a bowler,” he said.