The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have found a new spark in their bowling lineup — Chetan Sakariya. The left-arm pacer made his much-anticipated debut for KKR in the IPL 2025 season at the iconic Eden Gardens, and fans are already buzzing about his impressive performance. But who exactly is Chetan Sakariya, and why has his arrival sparked so much excitement?
Let’s dive into his journey, stats, and what he brings to KKR this season.
Chetan Sakariya Early Life and Career
Born on February 28, 1998, in Vartej, a village near Bhavnagar in Gujarat, Chetan hails from a humble background. His father, Kanjibhai Sakariya, worked as a tempo driver, while his mother, Varshaben, is a homemaker. The family faced financial constraints, making Chetan’s pursuit of cricket challenging. Despite initial reservations about his cricketing aspirations, his father eventually supported his dreams. A significant influence in his early life was his maternal uncle, Mansukhbhai, who assisted financially and allowed Chetan to work at his stationery shop in Bhavnagar to fund his cricket training .
Chetan has a sister named Jignasha. Tragically, his younger brother, Rahul, died by suicide in January 2021. At the time, Chetan was participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and his family chose not to inform him immediately to prevent affecting his performance. He learned about the incident ten days later, which deeply affected him .
Personal Losses and Emotional Resilience
In May 2021, just months after his brother’s death, Chetan’s father succumbed to COVID-19 . These consecutive personal tragedies occurred around the time he was making significant strides in his cricketing career, including being signed by the Rajasthan Royals for the IPL. In a heartfelt gesture, the team presented him with a jersey bearing his late brother’s initials, “R.K.,” and the message “Miss you bro,” honoring his memory.
Personal Life
As of July 14, 2024, Chetan Sakariya married Meghna Jambucha, who is also a cricketer .
IPL Journey So Far
Before joining KKR in IPL 2025, Sakariya had stints with Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. His performances were characterized by crucial breakthroughs and economical spells, particularly during powerplays and death overs.
- IPL Debut: 2021 (Rajasthan Royals)
- Bowling Style: Left-arm medium-fast
- Strengths: Swing in the powerplay, accuracy, and variety at the death
KKR picked him up during the IPL 2025 auction, aiming to strengthen their pace attack and add depth to their bowling unit.
IPL 2025 Debut for KKR at Eden Gardens
Sakariya made his first appearance for KKR in a high-pressure match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata’s fortress. He impressed immediately, swinging the new ball beautifully and keeping a tight line and length.
Match Highlights:
- Opened the bowling for KKR
- Claimed an early wicket
- Maintained an economy rate under 7
- Showed excellent variations during the death overs
His performance has already made KKR fans hopeful that he could be a game-changer for the remainder of the tournament.
Why Chetan Sakariya Is Important for KKR
KKR has historically leaned on quality fast bowlers to win key matches. With experienced names around him, Sakariya’s youthful energy and left-arm angle add a new dimension to KKR’s attack. His ability to bowl in multiple phases of the game — powerplay, middle overs, and death — makes him a valuable asset.
If he continues this form, he could well become a permanent feature in KKR’s playing XI throughout IPL 2025.
Final Thoughts
Chetan Sakariya’s IPL 2025 debut for Kolkata Knight Riders has been nothing short of promising. His inspiring journey, combined with his bowling talent, makes him a player to watch this season. KKR fans have a new hero to cheer for — and it looks like Sakariya is ready to seize the moment.
Stay tuned for more updates on his performances as IPL 2025 heats up!
