A 20-year-old leg spinner from Bidar, Karnataka, Izaz Sawariya has secured a spot in the IPL 2026 auction list through an unconventional path of Instagram reels.
His social media journey gained momentum when England spinner
Adil Rashid began engaging with his bowling videos, ultimately leading to his inclusion as number 265 in the uncapped spinners' section for the Abu Dhabi auction.
Sawariya's mornings now revolve around checking social media notifications, especially since Rashid started responding to his Instagram reels. Despite having no state-level or recognized league experience, his cricket journey has been shaped by social media exposure.
His early life was influenced by his father's Air Force career, with frequent relocations affecting his cricket development. His father currently serves with the 27th Squadron (Jaguar) in Gorakhpur.
"Because of his postings, I grew up in Bidar," Sawariya told ESPNCricinfo.
His cricket journey began at Vijay Cricket Club in 2017, where he transitioned from fast bowling to leg spin on his coaches' advice. Unable to break into Karnataka's Under-15 team, he relocated to Jaipur in 2022, returning to his Rajasthan roots.
In Jaipur, while training at Sanskar Cricket Academy under Surendra Singh Rathore, Sawariya faced significant challenges.
"The first two years were very hard. I was part of the district setup, but I didn't get chances to play. Even last year, I wasn't given opportunities," he admitted.
This lack of opportunities led him to Instagram, where he began posting regular bowling videos after practice sessions.
"I thought of posting my reels. One reel after practice, almost daily. That became my routine," he said.
The breakthrough came when Adil Rashid noticed his reels and began commenting.
"He started commenting on my reels. That's when I felt I really had something. He told me I was very good and complimented my bowling. That gave me a lot of confidence," Sawariya shared.
His social media presence attracted attention from cricket professionals, including former Punjab Kings bowling coach Sunil Joshi and Chennai Super Kings scouts. Punjab Kings subsequently invited him for trials in Lucknow.
"I impressed them, they liked me," he said regarding the trials.
Sawariya acknowledges the uniqueness of his journey to the IPL auction.
"No one has gone like this before. I think I might be the first player to go from social media to the IPL auction. It feels good that I've started a trend," he stated.
He credits his success to his family's support, particularly his father and elder sister's financial backing, and his coach's technical guidance.
"Surendra Singh Rathore sir has helped me a lot with my technique, my legspin, my variations," he acknowledged.
While admiring Ravi Bishnoi and having an affinity for Chennai Super Kings and MS Dhoni, Sawariya maintains a disciplined routine of morning practice and gym sessions.
His aspirations remain modest: "I just want to build a house for my parents with my own money."
Currently residing in paying-guest accommodation in Jaipur, Sawariya continues his training while awaiting the IPL auction results, representing a new generation of cricketers leveraging social media for professional opportunities.
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