Aniket Verma was born on 5 February 2002 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He lost his mother when he was very young (around three), and was raised largely by his uncle, Amit Verma, who became Aniket’s biggest support and pillar through the early years. Despite financial constraints, his family prioritized his dream to play cricket—his uncle would drive him long distances daily so he could practice. Aniket’s early training took shape in Bhopal, where he trained first under coach Nandjeet Singh at the Railway Youth Sports Club, and later under Jyoti Prakash Tyagi at Ankur Cricket Academy. These formative years in club cricket and smaller tournaments created both the technical grounding and the hunger that now define his approach to the game.
Domestic & Early Career
Verma first made his mark in domestic T20 when he debuted for Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on 3 December 2024 against Hyderabad. While that debut didn’t produce runs, he didn’t let it discourage him. Soon after, in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League (MPPL) 2024, playing for Bhopal Leopards, he exploded into public view by scoring 273 runs in 6 innings, including a blistering 32-ball century and smashing 25 sixes across the tournament. His performances in MPPL were electric and showed that he had the power, confidence, and the ability to dominate attacks.
IPL Breakthrough & Big Hits
Based on his domestic performances, Verma was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2025 auction, for his base price of ₹30 lakh, a gamble that has quickly paid off. He made his IPL debut on 23 March 2025 against Rajasthan Royals. A couple of matches later, on 30 March 2025, he smashed a dazzling 74 off 41 balls versus Delhi Capitals, stamped with 5 fours and 6 sixes—this knock immediately turned heads, confirming his ability to perform on big stages. These big hits and his fearless batting style established him as a finisher / power-hitting option that SRH will want to nurture.
Playing Style & Strengths
Aniket’s batting style is aggressive and aerial—he doesn’t shy away from going after the bowlers especially in the middle and late overs. His power-hitting, especially against spin, has been noted often: during IPL 2025, many of his sixes came off spinners. He strikes at a very high rate, and his ability to clear boundaries under pressure distinguishes him from many young batters. While his bowling is listed as right-arm medium-fast, that hasn’t been his main tool in competitive matches so far. Instead, his value lies in explosive batting, sharp hand-eye coordination, and the confidence to take risks when needed.
Achievements & Key Moments
Some of Aniket Verma’s standout achievements already:
- Top run-scorer in MPPL 2024 with 273 runs in 6 innings, including a 32-ball century.
- His explosive IPL knock of 74 off 41 balls against Delhi Capitals, which cemented his reputation.
- He has become known for hitting many sixes quickly—the number of sixes in MPPL and early IPL matches has drawn commentary and attention.
Challenges & What Lies Ahead
While Aniket’s rise has been swift, he still faces challenges. He is relatively new at higher levels of competition, and consistency will be crucial—both in converting starts and finishing innings. As is typical for aggressive batsmen, there will be periods of failure and scrutiny. Also, developing his fitness, shot selection, and temperament under pressure will matter. If he learns to adapt to different pitches, bowlers, and match situations, he has the potential not just to be a dangerous T20 batter but potentially to contribute in other formats too. He will also need to manage expectations, media pressure, and continuous performance to secure his place.
