31/03/2025
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a platform where young talents shine, and in 2025, one name that’s creating waves is Aniket Verma, the explosive batter for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). At just 23 years old, this hard-hitting all-rounder from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, has quickly become the talk of the town with his fearless batting and incredible six-hitting ability. Let’s dive into the journey of this young cricketer who’s proving to be SRH’s secret weapon in IPL 2025!
Born on February 5, 2002, in Jhansi, Aniket’s journey to the IPL hasn’t been a bed of roses. He faced adversity early in life, losing his mother at the age of three. Raised by his uncle, Amit Verma, in Bhopal, Aniket often struggled with basic necessities, but his passion for cricket never wavered. He started his cricketing journey at the Railway Youth Cricket Club under coach Nandjeet Sir, later honing his skills at Ankur Academy with coach Jyotiprakash Tyagi. His dedication paid off when he began making a name for himself in Madhya Pradesh’s domestic circuit.
Aniket first caught the spotlight with a century against Karnataka’s Under-23 team in the Men’s Under-23 One Day Inter-State tournament organized by the BCCI. He followed this up with another ton in the All-India Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Tamil Nadu. However, it was his performance in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPPL) in 2024 that truly turned heads. Playing for Bhopal Leopards, Aniket smashed 273 runs in six innings at a staggering strike rate of 205.4, including a record-breaking 32-ball century—the fastest in MPPL history—with 25 sixes in the tournament. This fearless approach made him a perfect fit for SRH’s aggressive batting philosophy.
Sunrisers Hyderabad picked Aniket for his base price of INR 30 lakh at the IPL 2025 mega auction, a decision that’s already paying dividends. Before the season began, Aniket gave a glimpse of his potential in an intra-squad match, smashing 46 runs off just 16 balls. He made his IPL debut against Rajasthan Royals on March 23, 2025, scoring a quick 7 off 3 balls, including a six. But it was his next game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on March 27 that announced his arrival on the big stage. Coming in at 110/4, Aniket blasted 36 runs off just 13 balls, hitting five sixes at a strike rate of 276.92, though SRH ended up losing the match.
The real highlight came on March 30, 2025, against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Visakhapatnam. With SRH struggling at 37/4 after Mitchell Starc’s fiery spell, Aniket walked in and turned the game around. He scored a sensational 74 off 41 balls, including six sixes and five fours, at a strike rate of 180.49. His 77-run partnership with Heinrich Klaasen (32 off 19) helped SRH reach a competitive 163. Aniket’s knock included four sixes off Axar Patel alone, showcasing his dominance against spin. This innings also made him the uncapped player with the most sixes (12) after just three IPL matches, surpassing Deepak Hooda.
Aniket Verma is a right-handed batter who thrives in the middle to lower order, a role that suits SRH’s high-risk, high-reward batting strategy. His ability to clear the boundary with ease—especially against spinners—is remarkable. In IPL 2025 so far, he’s smashed 11 sixes off 37 balls against spin at a strike rate of 237.83, while maintaining a decent 145.00 against pace. Beyond batting, Aniket can also bowl right-arm medium-fast, adding versatility to his game. SRH captain Pat Cummins praised his “young freedom” and bravery, noting how Aniket’s fearless approach keeps the team’s momentum going even after early wickets.
Aniket has expressed his eagerness to learn from cricketing giants. He’s keen to pick Hardik Pandya’s brain on fitness and power-hitting, learn the rising flick from Virat Kohli, and understand patience from MS Dhoni. Playing alongside SRH’s big hitters like Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Abhishek Sharma, Aniket is in the perfect environment to grow. He’s already shared insights with Klaasen, one of the best six-hitters in T20 cricket, which has helped him refine his game.
With just three IPL matches under his belt, Aniket Verma has already shown he belongs on the big stage. His performances have sparked excitement among fans, with many believing he could challenge Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL century (30 balls). As SRH continues its IPL 2025 campaign, all eyes will be on this young gun to see if he can maintain his explosive form and help the Orange Army clinch the title. If he keeps up this momentum, a call-up to the Indian national team might not be far away.
Aniket Verma is more than just a cricketer—he’s a story of resilience, talent, and raw power. From the streets of Jhansi to the IPL spotlight, his journey is an inspiration for every aspiring cricketer. Let’s cheer for this rising star as he aims to hit more sixes and win more hearts!
