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| SRH flamboyant all-rounder Aniket Verma demolished Delhi Capitals' bowlers with his huge six hitting abilities. Image via: X.com |
Aniket Verma is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young talents in Indian cricket. Known for his explosive batting and incredible power-hitting ability, he has taken the domestic cricket scene by storm. But who exactly is Aniket Verma? In this post, we dive into his early life, career breakthroughs, and how he made it to the IPL 2025 with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). From his rise through the ranks of domestic cricket to his impressive six-hitting capabilities, we explore what sets him apart. We’ll also discuss expert opinions, comparisons with other power hitters, and the growing expectations surrounding his role in SRH's success.
Could Aniket Verma be the game-changer SRH has been waiting for, and will he soon represent India on the international stage? Let's take a closer look at this exciting prospect and why he's a player to watch.
On this page
- Who is Aniket Verma? – Early Life and Background
- Domestic Cricket Career – Breaking Through the Ranks
- The Big Break – How SRH Signed Him for IPL 2025
- Playing Style – What Makes Him a Six-Hitting Machine?
- IPL 2025 Expectations – Can He Be SRH's Game-Changer?
- Comparisons with Other Power Hitters
- Expert Opinions – What Coaches and Analysts Say
- Future Prospects – Will He Play for India Soon?
- FAQs About Aniket Verma
- Conclusion – Why He's a Player to Watch
1. Who is Aniket Verma? – Early Life and Background
Aniket Verma was born on 12th March 2002 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. From a young age, he showed an innate ability to hit the ball hard and far, often outshining his peers in local tournaments. His father, a club-level cricketer, recognized his talent early and enrolled him in the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) academy.
Key Milestones in His Early Career:
- 2018: Scored a blistering 150* in a U-16 state tournament.
- 2020: Made his List A debut for Madhya Pradesh.
- 2022: Broke into the Ranji Trophy team with a match-winning 90 against Mumbai.
His aggressive batting style quickly earned him comparisons with Virender Sehwag and Hardik Pandya.
ANIKET VERMA - FIND OF IPL 2025. pic.twitter.com/cMIRMiH227
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 30, 2025
2. Domestic Cricket Career – Breaking Through the Ranks
Before IPL 2025, Verma had already made waves in domestic cricket. Here's a breakdown of his stats across formats (as of March 2025):
| Format | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | HS | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 18 | 892 | 42.47 | 78.12 | 134 | 5/2 |
| List A | 24 | 756 | 39.78 | 108.62 | 127* | 4/2 |
| T20s | 32 | 684 | 31.09 | 162.85 | 89* | 4/0 |
Notable Performances:
- 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Smashed 47 off 18 balls against Punjab.
- 2024 Vijay Hazare Trophy: Scored a 127* off 62 balls vs Tamil Nadu.
- 2024 Ranji Trophy: Played a crucial 92* in a chase against Karnataka.
His strike rate of 162.85 in T20s caught the attention of IPL scouts.
Also read.. WATCH: MS Dhoni's Lightning Fast Stumping Sends Surya Kumar Yadav
3. The Big Break – How SRH Signed Him for IPL 2025
Sunrisers Hyderabad, known for nurturing young talent (like Umran Malik and Abdul Samad), spotted Verma during the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His ability to hit sixes at will in the death overs made him a hot commodity in the auction.
IPL 2025 Auction Details:
- Base Price: ₹20 Lakh
- Sold For: ₹3.2 Crore to SRH (a steal, according to experts)
- Role: Finisher & Power Hitter (No. 5/6)
Brian Lara, SRH's batting consultant, said:
"Aniket has the fearless approach we need in the middle order. He reminds me of a young Kieron Pollard."
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| My hobby is I like to hit sixes, says Aniket Verma after an explosive inning against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. |
4. Playing Style – What Makes Him a Six-Hitting Machine?
Key Strengths:
✅ Power Hitting: Clears boundaries effortlessly (especially straight and mid-wicket).
✅ Fearless Approach: Doesn't shy away from attacking from ball one.
✅ Versatility: Can bat anywhere between No. 4-7.
✅ Strong Base: Uses his core strength to generate power.
Weaknesses:
❌ Short-Ball Vulnerability: Sometimes struggles against bouncers.
❌ Consistency: Needs to work on converting starts into big scores.
Batting Comparison (T20 Strike Rates):
| Player | Strike Rate | Sixes per Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Aniket Verma | 162.85 | 3.2 |
| Andre Russell | 177.88 | 3.8 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 156.44 | 2.9 |
| Hardik Pandya | 145.87 | 2.1 |
(Source: ESPN Cricinfo, IPL Stats)
Aniket in his zone 💪
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 16, 2025
Aniket Verma | #PlayWithFire pic.twitter.com/IarfDydbXt
5. IPL 2025 Expectations – Can He Be SRH's Game-Changer?
SRH has struggled with middle-order collapses in past seasons. Verma's role will be crucial:
- Finishing Matches (alongside Heinrich Klaasen).
- Powerplay Blitz (if promoted).
- Death Overs Specialist (targeting 20+ runs in last two overs).
Predicted Impact:
- 300+ Runs in IPL 2025.
- Strike Rate of 170+.
- 15+ Sixes in the season.
6. Comparisons with Other Power Hitters
| Aspect | Aniket Verma | Andre Russell | Hardik Pandya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six-Hitting | Elite | Best in the World | Very Good |
| Bowling | Part-time | Key Bowler | All-Rounder |
| Experience | Emerging | Veteran | Established |
Experts believe Verma could be India's answer to Russell if he develops his bowling.
7. Expert Opinions – What Coaches and Analysts Say
- Tom Moody (Former SRH Coach): "He's got the X-factor SRH needs."
- Harsha Bhogle: "If he handles pressure well, he'll be unstoppable."
- MP Coach Chandrakant Pandit: "His work ethic is as strong as his hitting."
8. Future Prospects – Will He Play for India Soon?
If Verma performs well in IPL 2025, he could:
- ✔ Earn an India 'A' call-up.
- ✔ Be in contention for T20 World Cup 2026.
- ✔ Become SRH's long-term finisher.
9. FAQs About Aniket Verma
Q1. What is Aniket Verma's batting position?
He usually bats at No. 5 or 6 as a finisher.
Q2. How much did SRH pay for him?
₹3.2 Crore in the IPL 2025 auction.
Q3. Can he bowl?
He bowls part-time medium pace but is primarily a batter.
Q4. Who does he idolize?
He looks up to MS Dhoni for finishing games and Andre Russell for power-hitting.
Q5. What's his highest T20 score?
89* off 37 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
10. Conclusion – Why Aniket Verma is a Player to Watch
Aniket Verma is not just another young talent—he's a game-changer in the making. With his brutal hitting, fearless approach, and strong domestic record, he has all the tools to succeed in IPL 2025 and beyond.
Also read..BCCI Announces ₹58 Crore Cash Reward for Team India After ICC Champions
Will he be the next big Indian finisher? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—cricket fans should keep an eye on this Madhya Pradesh powerhouse.
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