Kunal Singh Rathore

Kunal Singh Rathore, a 21-year-old left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman from Kota, Rajasthan, has made his place in the Rajasthan Royals team in the 2024 IPL auction. Kunal Rathore plays domestic cricket for Rajasthan. He made his domestic debut for Rajasthan in all three formats, First Class List and T20 in 2022.

The wicketkeeper-batsman hailing from Rajasthan has been added by Rajasthan Royals, the team representing his state in the IPL, at a base price of Rs 20 lakh due to his excellent performance in domestic cricket. However, he has not played any IPL matches so far.

Kunal, made headlines as the first cricketer from his hometown to secure an IPL contract. A lifelong fan of the Rajasthan Royals, he brings passion and energy to the game. Since 2022, Kunal has showcased his skills in Rajasthan's domestic cricket circuit.

Kunal Rathore Along The Year

Kunal Rathore Career

Rathore’s cricketing journey has been remarkable. He first gained attention during the Colvin Shield tournament as the top scorer, leading to his debut with Rajasthan’s senior team in the 2021-22 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Initially inspired by former Indian pacer Sreesanth, Rathore began as a bowler but later transitioned into a wicketkeeper-batsman. His standout performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy earned him the position of first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman for Rajasthan’s senior team.

In 2023, Rathore made headlines when he scored his maiden first-class century in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy against Manipur in Ahmedabad. His stunning knock of 156 runs off 138 balls, featuring 13 fours and 8 sixes, showcased his batting prowess. His stellar performance in the Ranji Trophy earned him recognition, and soon, the Rajasthan Royals took notice. Rathore entered the 2024 IPL auction with a base price of INR 20 lakh, and the Rajasthan Royals signed him. His journey with the Royals began when their fielding coach, Dishant Yagnik, invited him for trials. After an impressive display, Rathore was asked to stay for additional days, solidifying his place with the team.

In just a few years, Rathore has progressed from a promising bowler to a key wicketkeeper-batsman for Rajasthan, earning a spot in the IPL with the Rajasthan Royals. His rapid rise in domestic cricket highlights his talent and determination to succeed.

Kunal Rathore Domestic Career

Kunal Rathod started his domestic career with the T20 format. He made his debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on October 11, 2022, against Madhya Pradesh. In his debut innings, Kunal scored 15 runs in 8 balls with the help of a six and a four at a strike rate of 187 and his team lost this match as well. By the end of the tournament, Kunal Rathore had scored 147 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 128.24 and an average of 36.75, in which his highest score was 46 runs.

In the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Kunal Rathore scored 107 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 152.5 and an average of 35.66, along with this he also scored the first half-century of his career in this tournament.

Kunal has scored only 254 runs in 12 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches played so far at an average of 36.28, in which only one half-century has come off his bat.

Just a month after making his domestic debut in the T20 format in October 2022, he made his List A debut on  November 12, 2022 against Assam. In his debut match, Kunal scored just 13 runs off 10 balls, and by the end of the tournament, Kunal had scored 154 runs in seven matches at an average of 30.80, in which one half-century also came off his bat. In the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kunal batted brilliantly in 9 matches at an average of 41.66 and scored 250 runs with the help of two half-centuries, in which his highest score was 79 runs. Along with this, Kunal has so far scored 404 runs in a total of 16 List A matches, in which three half-centuries have come from his bat.

Kunal Rathod made his debut at the domestic level last in the Ranji Trophy where he made his first-class debut against Goa on December 13, 2022. In his debut match, Kunal scored 31 runs off 43 balls and in that match both the teams played one innings each and the match was drawn. Kunal Rathore could not play many matches in the 2022 Ranji Trophy and his performance was also not very special.

The 2023 Ranji Trophy was the tournament due to which Kunal caught everyone's attention and scored 245 runs in 6 matches at an average of 40.83, in which a huge inning of 156 runs also came off his bat. Kunal has so far scored 435 runs in a total of 11 Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 31.007, which includes a half-century and a century from his bat.

Kunal Rathore IPL Career

His innings of 156 runs off 138 balls in the 2023 Ranji Trophy drew everyone's attention to Kunal, in which Rajasthan Royals fielding coach Dishant Yagnik was at the forefront. Dishant Yagnik first called Kunal for Rajasthan Royals' trials where he performed well, after which he was included in the Rajasthan Royals team for a shining amount of Rs 20 lakh. Kunal may not have got to play any match in the 2024 IPL on behalf of Rajasthan Royals, but it is almost certain that he will play in the IPL in the future.