4. Rajvardhan Hangargekar:
Rajvardhan Hangargekar, born on 10 November 2002, is a promising Indian cricketer known for his sheer pace and ability to generate movement off the pitch. He made his debut in domestic cricket and has quickly gained recognition for his impressive performances. Hangargekar’s journey began in the 2020-21 domestic season when he made his Twenty20 debut for Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He followed it up with his List A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, representing Maharashtra. In December 2021, Hangargekar was selected to represent India in the 2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup held in the West Indies, where he was constantly hitting 140+ pace.
The young fast bowler’s talent caught the attention of IPL franchises, and in the 2022 IPL auction, he was bought by the Chennai Super Kings. He made his IPL debut on 31 March 2023, earning praise from the team, including captain MS Dhoni, for his performances. In his early career, Hangargekar has already displayed his wicket-taking ability. In just four First-Class games, he has picked up an impressive 13 wickets, showcasing his potential as a formidable fast bowler. His performances in List A cricket have been equally impressive, with 28 wickets in 14 games at an average of 22.25. Currently, Hangargekar is leading the Indian pace attack at the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, further emphasizing his growing stature as a young fast bowler.
