Jammu Kashmir has produced several talented cricketers who have played in the Indian Premier League. From Mithun Manhas being the first to recent stars like Umran Malik and Abdul Samad, players from this beautiful region have made their mark on cricket’s biggest stage. In this detailed guide, we explore every Jammu Kashmir player in IPL, their journey, earnings, and impact on Indian cricket.
Complete List of Jammu Kashmir Players in IPL:
Over the years, multiple players from Jammu Kashmir have been part of different IPL franchises. Here is the complete list of all Jammu Kashmir players who have played or been selected for IPL:
| Player Name | Role | IPL Teams | Debut Year | Status 2025 |
| Mithun Manhas | Batsman | DD, PWI, CSK | 2008 | Retired |
| Parvez Rasool | All Rounder | PWI, SRH, RCB | 2013 | Released |
| Umran Malik | Fast Bowler | SRH, GT | 2021 | Gujarat Titans |
| Abdul Samad | All Rounder | SRH, LSG | 2020 | Lucknow Super Giants |
| Rasikh Salam | Fast Bowler | MI, KKR, DC, RCB | 2022 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Yudhvir Singh | All Rounder | SRH | 2022 | Released |
| Abid Mushtaq | All Rounder | RR | 2024 | Released |
| Manzoor Pandav | Bowler | Net Bowler | 2019 | Not Active |
Total Players in IPL 2025: 3 Active Players
In IPL 2025, three players from Jammu Kashmir are actively playing. Umran Malik with Gujarat Titans, Abdul Samad with Lucknow Super Giants, and Rasikh Salam with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This shows the growing talent pool from the region.
Mithun Manhas: The Pioneer from Jammu Kashmir
Mithun Manhas holds a special place in Jammu Kashmir cricket history. He became the first player from the region to play in the IPL.
Career Details: Born on October 12, 1979, in Jammu, Manhas was a consistent middle order batsman. He played most of his domestic cricket for Delhi and was part of their 2007-08 Ranji Trophy winning team where he scored 921 runs.
IPL Journey: Manhas made his IPL debut with Delhi Daredevils in 2008. Though he primarily played for Delhi, he also represented Pune Warriors India and Chennai Super Kings during his IPL career. His salary was modest by today’s standards. He earned around 12 lakh rupees per season with Delhi Daredevils and 30 lakh rupees when he moved to Pune Warriors and later Chennai Super Kings.
Legacy: While Manhas never became a regular IPL player, he opened the door for other Jammu Kashmir cricketers. He proved that players from the region could compete at the highest level. Today, he serves as BCCI President, making him the first person from Jammu Kashmir to hold this prestigious position.
Parvez Rasool: First International Player from Kashmir
Parvez Rasool is arguably the most successful cricketer from Jammu Kashmir in terms of international recognition. Born on February 13, 1989, in Bijbehara, he became the first player from the region to represent India.
Breakthrough Performance: Rasool’s domestic performances in 2012-13 Ranji Trophy were exceptional. He scored 594 runs at an average of 54 and took 33 wickets. This earned him a call to the India A team where he took 7 wickets for 45 runs against Australia.
IPL Career: Rasool joined Pune Warriors in 2013, becoming the first Jammu Kashmir player to get an IPL contract through auction. Later, he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 where he was bought for 95 lakh rupees. He also had a brief stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, he played only 11 IPL matches in total, taking 4 wickets and scoring 17 runs.
International Career: Rasool played one ODI against Bangladesh in 2014 and one T20I against England in 2017. He remains the first and only Jammu Kashmir player to have represented India in international cricket so far.
Umran Malik: The Speed Sensation
Umran Malik is currently the most famous cricketer from Jammu Kashmir. Known for his express pace, he regularly bowls above 150 km/h and has even touched 157 km/h in IPL matches.
Rise to Fame: Malik first came into limelight as a net bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2021. His raw pace impressed the team management so much that they included him in the playing eleven. In his debut season, he picked up wickets with his sheer pace.
IPL 2022 Breakthrough: The 2022 season was Malik’s breakthrough year. He took 22 wickets in 14 matches, becoming the Purple Cap contender. His fastest delivery of 157 km/h made him one of the fastest bowlers in IPL history. This performance earned him an India call up.
IPL 2025 Status: In the 2025 mega auction, Gujarat Titans picked Umran Malik for 75 lakh rupees. Though his auction price was lower than expected, he remains a valuable pace option. His total IPL earnings across all seasons are approximately 5 to 6 crore rupees.
International Career: Malik has represented India in T20Is and ODIs. However, he lost his place due to inconsistent performances and expensive spells. He is now focusing on improving his line and length while maintaining pace.
Abdul Samad: The Big Hitting All Rounder
Abdul Samad from Kalakote, Jammu, is known for his explosive batting and handy medium pace bowling. He is one of the most exciting young talents from Jammu Kashmir.
Early Career: Samad made his IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2020 at the age of 19. He was bought for 20 lakh rupees in the 2019 auction and retained for three consecutive seasons.
Batting Style: Samad is a lower middle order batsman who can hit long sixes. His strike rate of over 146 in IPL shows his aggressive approach. He has hit 36 sixes in his IPL career so far, showing his power hitting ability.
IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants bought Abdul Samad for 4.2 crore rupees in the 2025 mega auction. This was a significant jump from his previous salary with SRH. The bidding war between LSG and other teams showed his value as a finisher.
Career Stats: In 50 IPL matches, Samad has scored 577 runs at a strike rate of 146.08. While his runs tally may seem modest, his ability to score quick runs in pressure situations makes him valuable. He is still young and has plenty of time to develop into a complete all rounder.
Rasikh Salam: The Emerging Pace Talent
Rasikh Salam from Kulgam district is another fast bowler making waves in IPL cricket. His left arm pace bowling makes him a unique asset for any team.
Background: Salam came from a modest background in South Kashmir. He worked hard to make it to the state team and then caught the attention of IPL scouts during domestic tournaments.
IPL Journey: Salam was first picked by Mumbai Indians in 2022 as a net bowler and later got a contract. He also played for Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders in different seasons. However, his career faced a setback when he was banned for two years due to age fudging controversy.
IPL 2025: After serving his ban and proving himself again, Royal Challengers Bengaluru bought Rasikh Salam for a massive 6 crore rupees in the 2025 auction. This was the highest price ever paid for a Jammu Kashmir player. His base price was just 30 lakh rupees, showing how much RCB valued his skills.
Future Prospects: At 26 years old, Salam has the potential to become a regular wicket taker in IPL. His left arm angle and ability to swing the new ball make him effective in powerplay overs. RCB is banking on him to strengthen their pace attack.
Jammu Kashmir Players in IPL 2026 and Beyond:
Looking ahead to IPL 2026, the representation from Jammu Kashmir looks promising. Based on current trends, here is what we can expect:
Confirmed Players for 2026:
- Umran Malik (Gujarat Titans) likely to continue
- Abdul Samad (Lucknow Super Giants) likely to be retained
- Rasikh Salam (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) likely to be retained
Emerging Talents: Several young Jammu Kashmir players are waiting for their IPL chance. Shubham Khajuria, a talented batsman, has been performing well in domestic cricket. Aquib Nabi Dar, an all rounder, showed promise in recent tournaments. These players could get IPL contracts in upcoming auctions.
Development Programs: The JKCA has improved its infrastructure and coaching programs. More academies are coming up in Srinagar and Jammu. This will produce more IPL quality players in future years.
Challenges: Weather remains a major challenge. Cricket cannot be played in most parts of Jammu Kashmir during winter months. Players have to train in other states or relocate temporarily. Despite this, the passion for cricket remains strong in the region.
Impact on Jammu Kashmir Cricket Development:
The success of Jammu Kashmir players in IPL has had a positive impact on cricket development in the region.
- Inspiration for Youth: Young cricketers now have local heroes to look up to. Seeing Umran Malik bowl at 155 km/h or Abdul Samad hit massive sixes inspires thousands of kids to take up cricket seriously.
- Infrastructure Improvement: Success in IPL has brought attention to the need for better cricket facilities. The government and JKCA are working on upgrading stadiums and practice facilities. New turf pitches are being laid in various districts.
- Financial Opportunities: IPL contracts have changed the lives of players and their families. Umran Malik, Abdul Samad, and Rasikh Salam have earned crores of rupees. This shows youngsters that cricket can be a viable career option.
- Media Coverage: More media attention on Jammu Kashmir cricket means better visibility. Domestic matches featuring local players get more coverage. This helps in talent identification and provides exposure to young players.
- Challenges Remaining: Despite progress, challenges remain. Political instability sometimes affects cricket activities. Limited playing season due to weather is another issue. Lack of top quality coaches and sports science facilities needs addressing.
Comparison with Other States:
When comparing cricket development across India, Jammu and Kashmir has produced fewer Indian Premier League players than major cricketing states. However, despite limited infrastructure and smaller participation numbers, the region has still produced several talented cricketers who have reached the IPL stage. Their progress shows how cricket in the region is steadily improving and gaining recognition.
Here is how Jammu and Kashmir compares with other states in producing IPL players:
- Numbers Game: States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have produced dozens of IPL players. In comparison, Jammu Kashmir has only 8 players who have featured in IPL so far. However, the population and cricket infrastructure of these states are also much larger.
- Quality Over Quantity: While the numbers are small, the quality is impressive. Umran Malik’s pace, Abdul Samad’s power hitting, and Rasikh Salam’s left arm bowling are skills that stand out even at IPL level.
- Recent Growth: In the last 5 years, the number of Jammu Kashmir players in IPL has increased significantly. From having no player between 2017 and 2019, the state now has three active IPL cricketers in 2025.
- Future Outlook: With better infrastructure and more tournaments being conducted in the region, the number of Jammu Kashmir players in IPL is expected to grow. The target should be to have 5 to 10 active IPL players by 2030.
Conclusion:
Jammu Kashmir’s representation in IPL has grown significantly over the years. From Mithun Manhas opening the door in 2008 to three active players in 2025, the journey has been inspiring. Players like Umran Malik, Abdul Samad, and Rasikh Salam have not only made it to IPL but have also earned substantial contracts worth crores of rupees.
Key Takeaways:
- Total of 8 players from Jammu Kashmir have been part of IPL
- 3 active players in IPL 2025: Umran Malik, Abdul Samad, Rasikh Salam
- Rasikh Salam is the most expensive at 6 crore rupees
- Parvez Rasool remains the only international cricketer from the region
- Mithun Manhas is now BCCI President
The success of these players has inspired thousands of youngsters in Jammu Kashmir to take up cricket. Better infrastructure, coaching facilities, and government support are helping develop more talent. The future looks bright with several promising players waiting for their IPL opportunity.
As IPL continues to grow, we can expect more players from Jammu Kashmir to shine on this grand stage. The region has proven it has the talent. What it needs now is sustained support and opportunities.
FAQs:
Three players from Jammu Kashmir are playing in IPL 2025. Umran Malik plays for Gujarat Titans, Abdul Samad represents Lucknow Super Giants, and Rasikh Salam is with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. All three players were bought in the IPL 2025 mega auction and are active members of their respective squads.
Mithun Manhas was the first player from Jammu Kashmir to play in IPL. He made his debut with Delhi Daredevils in 2008. Though he played primarily for Delhi in domestic cricket, he represented DD, Pune Warriors India, and Chennai Super Kings in IPL. He is now the BCCI President, becoming the first person from Jammu Kashmir to hold this position.
Rasikh Salam has the highest IPL salary among Jammu Kashmir players. Royal Challengers Bengaluru bought him for 6 crore rupees in the IPL 2025 mega auction. This made him the most expensive player from the region. His base price was only 30 lakh rupees, but RCB saw great value in his left arm fast bowling skills.
Yes, Parvez Rasool is the only player from Jammu Kashmir to represent India in international cricket. He played one ODI against Bangladesh in June 2014 and one T20I against England in January 2017. Umran Malik has also played for India in T20Is and ODIs but lost his place due to inconsistent performances.
A total of 8 players from Jammu Kashmir have been part of IPL since its inception. These players are Mithun Manhas, Parvez Rasool, Umran Malik, Abdul Samad, Rasikh Salam, Yudhvir Singh, Abid Mushtaq, and Manzoor Pandav (net bowler). Out of these, three players are actively playing in IPL 2025, while others have either retired or been released by their franchises.
Kiran is a cricket analyst and writer with strong expertise in the Indian Premier League and modern cricket. He closely follows match situations, player performances, team strategies, and season trends to deliver clear and accurate insights. Passionate about the game, Kiran enjoys exploring emerging talents, tracking auction movements, and sharing timely updates related to IPL and competitive cricket.
