Delhi Capitals (DC) handed 18-year-old Sahil Parakh his maiden IPL cap for the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Monday, April 27, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The Capitals made three changes for the clash, also bringing in Kyle Jamieson and Dushmantha Chameera.
Parakh replaced Pathum Nissanka as KL Rahul’s opening partner. The team opted for changes following a shock defeat to Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings at the same venue, where they failed to defend a massive total of 264.
It hasn’t been the best of campaigns for the Capitals so far, as they sit seventh on the points table with six points and a net run rate of -0.184.
Parakh, meanwhile, endured a disappointing debut, dismissed for a two-ball duck. Opening the innings, he was bowled by the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who uprooted his middle stump with a peach of a delivery.
WHO IS SAHIL PARAKH?
Sahil Parakh is one of the youngest and most intriguing prospects in the Delhi Capitals setup, representing the new wave of Indian talent emerging through age-group and domestic cricket. Born in 2007 in Nashik, Maharashtra, Parakh is a left-handed batter who also bowls right-arm leg-breaks.
He first made his mark in age-group cricket, rising through Maharashtra’s school and U-19 circuits with consistent performances. Parakh also captained the Maharashtra U-19 side and impressed in tournaments like the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, highlighting both his leadership skills and reliability at the top of the order.
His breakthrough came on the international youth stage, where he represented India in Under-19 competitions. A standout moment was his blistering unbeaten century against Australia in a Youth ODI in Puducherry in 2024, showcasing his ability to dominate quality bowling attacks.
Parakh carried that form into the Maharashtra Premier League 2025, where he enjoyed a breakout season. Playing for Eagle Nashik Titans, he scored 202 runs in eight matches at an impressive strike rate of 177.19, underlining his aggressive approach at the top. He also delivered in crucial moments, including a 68 off 33 balls in Qualifier 2 that helped his side reach the final.
He made his debut for Maharashtra last year in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he played only two games. Recognising his potential, Delhi Capitals secured Parakh at his base price of Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2026 auction, adding him to a squad packed with experienced internationals.
Recently, Parakh was in the news after suffering a facial injury during a practice session. At just 18, he remains a work in progress, but one widely regarded as a future star in the making.
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