Top 5 Interesting Facts You Must Know About PBKS’ Uncapped Signing Vishal Nishad

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) added a new dimension to their success with their runners-up finish in the IPL 2025 season. The franchise had struggled for a decade since its last final in 2014, but a major change in strategy last season turned things around.

PBKS invested heavily in young and uncapped Indian players in their starting eleven, and the results exceeded even the highest expectations. It was no surprise that the still-title-less franchise continued to focus on uncapped Indian cricketers in the recent 2026 auction.

Both of their Indian acquisitions in the auction were uncapped players, including the relatively unknown Vishal Nishad. Still under 21, Vishal is seen as a valuable addition to PBKS' leg-spin attack, alongside the experienced Yuzvendra Chahal.

Here are five interesting facts about PBKS’ latest uncapped signing, Vishal Nishad, the young leg-spinner.

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1. Struggles Moving from Tennis Ball to Leather Ball

Most young Indian players face big challenges on their way from childhood cricket to an IPL contract. Vishal Nishad is no different. He faced financial problems just to switch from tennis-ball to leather-ball cricket.

Growing up in a small village near Gorakhpur, Vishal played tennis-ball cricket on uneven surfaces because he could not afford a leather ball.

"I didn’t have money even to buy basic equipment," Vishal said in an interview (via Money Control).
His coach, Kalyan Singh, did not charge him any fees for three years, knowing about his financial struggles.

2. Vishal Nishad’s Journey to an IPL Contract

Vishal’s road to an IPL contract involved impressing several members of the PBKS support staff. Even though he started playing leather-ball cricket only four years ago, the 20-year-old quickly rose through the ranks and became important for the Gorakhpur Lions in the UPT20 League.

Uttar Pradesh captain Ankit Rajpoot, who is also a PBKS scout, recommended Vishal to head coach Ricky Ponting.

"Vishal impressed me a lot during the trials for the Gorakhpur Lions in 2024, and I thought he could make it to an IPL team. First, he bowled in nets for the Andhra Pradesh team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he was watched by AP’s mentor and Punjab Kings assistant coach, Trevor Gonsalves," Rajpoot said (via Hindustan Times).

He added, "After that, my suggestion, along with videos and pictures, met the expectations of Ricky Ponting and PBKS bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule."

Vishal has not yet played a match for Uttar Pradesh in any of the three formats, but has joined their camp for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.

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3. A Virat Kohli Fan

Like many young Indian players, Vishal idolises Virat Kohli. In a recent interview, he said he has wanted to be like Kohli since school.

"I always wanted to be a cricketer like Virat Kohli. I would love to bowl to him if I ever get the chance. I left my studies after 12th grade for cricket and never miss watching Kohli play," said Vishal (via the same source).

Kohli is one of the greatest batters in cricket history, with nearly 28,000 runs and 84 centuries.

4. UP League Performances

Vishal Nishad’s most notable performances so far came in the 2024 UP T20 League for Gorakhpur Lions. The 20-year-old took seven wickets in four matches at an average of 14 and an economy rate of just 7.

His best bowling was 3/45 in four overs against the Noida Kings. In that game, he dismissed veteran IPL star Nitish Rana for just 14 runs.

5. The Next Varun Chakravarthy?

Ankit Rajpoot, who guided Vishal’s cricket career, compared his bowling style to T20 star Varun Chakravarthy. Interestingly, Varun also made his IPL debut with PBKS, the team that signed Vishal in the 2026 auction.

"What I like most about Vishal is his bowling style. He is a mystery spinner like Varun Chakravarthy and Ajantha Mendis. It is hard to read his length. He can hit the stumps from anywhere," said Rajpoot.

Varun has become a top T20 bowler and is currently ranked No. 1 in T20Is.