KKR scout spotted TNPL's highest run scorer as golden prospect for IPL 2026: Report

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:39:07 GMT

Scouts of IPL franchises have been keeping their eyes on various T20 tournaments across the globe. Teams that faced setbacks in IPL 2025 will have to undergo transformation by signing some new names in their squad ahead of IPL 2026.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the IPL 2024 winner who failed to qualify for the playoffs in the previous IPL season, has clear intentions to rope in multiple raw talents, including uncapped Indian cricketers. A recent report about KKR's possible team build-up process highly suggested that they have interest in the highest run scorer of the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2025. Tushar Raheja was the highest run getter in TNPL 2025 for the Tiruppur Tamizhans.

The emerging keeper-batter scored 488 runs in 9 matches at a batting average of 61.00. He smashed 5 half-centuries and maintained an average strike rate of 185.55 in the process. Raheja, with his batting abilities, easily attracted attention from cricket fraternities. When the Tiruppur Tamizhans faced the star-studded Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL 2025 final, the 24-year-old played a match-winning 77-run knock, which came against world-class bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin and Varun Chakravarthy.

Why KKR should sign Raheja?

According to recent claims, a KKR scout suggested Tushar Raheja's name to the team management. As keeper-batter, KKR trusted Quinton De Kock and Rahmatullah Gurbaz in IPL 2025, but they misfired. Without any doubts, the Kolkata-based franchise needs a prolific wicketkeeper who can add value with the bat also. Raheja fits for the role. He is young, he is talented, and he is in form. As of now, he is considered a strong contender to get a new contract paper from Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kolkata Knight Riders were the defending champion side in IPL 2025; they could not make their way to the round of four. KKR concluded their season in the 8th spot of the points table with only 5 wins in 14 matches.

After smashing 488 runs in TNPL 2025, another keeper-batter ready for IPL 2026

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:03:37 GMT

Tushar Raheja emerged as one of the brightest prospects after the carnage he did in this season's Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL 2025). With Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans, the keeper-batter amassed a total of 488 runs from just nine games at a strike rate of 185 and a whopping average of around 61.

These amazing numbers by a lesser-known cricketer forced the cricket enthusiasts to do some research work to explore who Tushar Raheja actually is. According to some recently published reports, the left-handed batter tried to sneak into the world of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was rejected even after going through trial processes.

Raheja, in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, revealed that he attended trials for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings but couldn’t get the desired results. Raheja showed his true colors during the TNPL 2025, where he scored five half centuries, including a match-winning 77 off 46 balls in the TNPL 2025 final against the Dindigul Dragons. Dindigul Dragons was under the leadership of Ravichandran Ashwin and powered by multiple established players like Varun Chakravarthy. Raheja was flawless even against stars like Ashwin and Chakaraborty.

Tushar do not want to look back

Recalling the IPL trials, he said, "I thought I did well at the Delhi trials, and then I was called again during the tournament as well. That was again a good experience, and that helped me evolve as well. I was amongst people who got picked in this year's IPL, like Priyansh Arya. After the auction, I tried to compare myself to them in terms of seeing what they are doing right and what I'm not." Now, after TNPL 2025, Tushar has no intention to make a decision in a hurry. He wants to go ahead step by step. Before thinking about the next edition's IPL, the top-order batsman wants to do well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.

"I would like to focus on the Syed Mushtaq Ali, which would take me a step closer. I'm trying not to think about it, but obviously, it's human tendency again to start thinking about it. I will be lying if I say I've not thought about it," he added.