Sakib Hussain was at Bihar’s Vijay Hazare Trophy camp in Patna when Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him for his base price of Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction. This marks the start of a new IPL chapter for Hussain, the right-arm pacer who tasted championship glory with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, though he didn’t play a single game.
Excitement at the Auction
“At the time of the auction, we were at the Vijay Hazare Trophy camp in Patna. When SRH picked me, I felt really good because the things where I had my shortcomings, I improved on them during the IPL and implemented that in domestic games. I have made sure to leave no stone unturned in overcoming those shortcomings and do well whenever a chance comes to play in the tournament,” Hussain shared in an exclusive conversation.
Journey to SRH
Hussain’s journey back to the IPL involved trials with Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and KKR before SRH eventually secured him. Shortly after the auction, he received a motivating call from the franchise’s bowling coach and former India pacer Varun Aaron.
“Varun Aaron told me to get ready and that I have to do well and move ahead by working hard. On hearing this, first of all, I thanked him and the SRH team for taking me in. He replied telling me that this is just the fruit of your hard work.”
Valuable Lessons at KKR
Despite not getting game time in IPL 2024, Hussain’s tenure with KKR was invaluable. The Gopalganj native gained insights from cricketing stalwarts like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, and coach Abhishek Nayar.
“All of them taught me a lot of good things. Like, the way they planned, playing with a different mindset on match day, and how to judge a player. I learnt a lot there,” he said.
Hussain also discovered a crucial lesson during his time with KKR — that physical talent alone isn’t enough at higher levels. “One big thing I learnt was cricket is a mind game. The one who thinks well plays well on the field. Everyone is talented, but it’s those who think and plan effectively who excel.”
Support System
Hussain’s journey started at Tunna Giri Cricket Academy in Gopalganj, where coach Robin Singh became his pillar of support through every high and low.
“People like Saket bhaiya and Kumar bhaiya at the academy have supported me. My coach Robin Singh is the most special person in my life. He has been there through my ups and downs. He’s supported me a lot,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role of the Bihar Cricket Association leadership—President Harsh Vardhan, Rakesh Tiwari, and Secretary Rahul—for creating the pathways that helped him pursue his dreams. “They all have helped me go from playing in a small town to such a big stage. I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Eager to Learn in SRH
Looking forward to his stint with SRH, Hussain is eager to learn from captain Pat Cummins and other international stars in the setup. “In IPL, you have good coaches and mentors who can guide you. But everywhere you go, the main interest is to play at any opportunity and that aids your growth. In the Hyderabad team, legendary players like skipper Pat Cummins are present, which allows me to learn a lot.”
Impressive Domestic Performance
Hussain’s impressive pace in domestic performances caught the attention of IPL scouts, particularly highlighted by a remarkable 10-wicket haul against Arunachal Pradesh in the first half of the Ranji Trophy and six wickets in Bihar’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy league games in Kolkata.
“In matches, I focus on keeping things simple and aim for timely breakthroughs. I don’t think too far ahead and concentrate on doing things in the present moment.”
Rising Talent from Bihar
Hussain’s return to IPL signifies a broader resurgence in Bihar’s cricket, with players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and fellow pacer Mohammad Izhar also securing IPL deals. “Bihar has talented players like me, Vaibhav, Izhar, and many others. The environment for cricket in Bihar is very good, which is why so many players are emerging, and more great cricketers will come in the future.”
Hungry for Success
Having experienced the joy of an IPL title with KKR, Hussain expressed eagerness to replicate that success in SRH colors. “Definitely, we will try to become a winning team again in the IPL next year. It would be fantastic to have a picture with the trophy on my Instagram profile once again. I am very excited to learn a lot and perform well to win the trophy for SRH this time.”