Who is Danish Malewar? The 21-year-old Vidarbha batter made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians. Here’s a look at his journey, stats, and rise to the big stage.
Mumbai Indians' Danish Malewar and Quinton de Kock run between the wickets to score during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad on Monday, April 20, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
A new name quietly entered the Indian Premier League spotlight as Danish Malewar made his debut for the Mumbai Indians against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday.
But who exactly is the 21-year-old Vidarbha batter suddenly finding himself on one of the biggest stages in T20 cricket?
Advertisement
Born on October 8, 2003, in Nagpur, Malewar is a right-handed top-order batter who can also bowl leg-spin. His cricketing journey began early at the City Gymkhana Academy, where he trained under coaches Swaroopraj Shrivastava and Nitin Gawande from the age of seven.
Advertisement
His rise was steady and built on discipline. By 12, he was already representing Vidarbha at the Under-14 level, an early sign of the consistency that would define his game.
One story often associated with Malewar sums up his commitment: after returning from a tour at 2 AM, he turned up for an Under-14 final the same morning and scored a century despite barely sleeping.
Malewar’s reputation has largely been built in red-ball cricket. During the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, he played a key role in Vidarbha’s title-winning campaign, scoring 783 runs in nine matches at an average of 52. His tally included two centuries and six fifties, making him one of the team’s most reliable batters.
Typically batting at No. 3, he is known for his calm temperament, ability to handle the new ball, and willingness to play long innings, evident from his tendency to face 100+ deliveries in many of his knocks.
Malewar models parts of his game on legends like Sachin Tendulkar and KL Rahul, aiming to blend classical technique with modern adaptability. His focus remains on building a complete game rather than chasing quick success.
Handed his debut as an opener, Malewar had a difficult initiation into the IPL, scoring just two runs before falling to Kagiso Rabada. It was a brief outing, but not one that defines his potential.
Having been picked by Mumbai Indians at his base price of ₹30 lakh, Malewar represents a long-term investment, someone the franchise clearly sees as a player for the future.
For now, the spotlight is new, the stage is bigger, and the expectations are rising. But if his journey so far is anything to go by, Danish Malewar is unlikely to be a one-match story.
Advertisement
