The world of cricket, especially under the watchful eye of legendary coach Chandrakant Pandit, is one of unwavering discipline and strict adherence to the rules. Yet, it was a rare and deliberate exception made by this very coach that gifted a second chance to a 17-year-old batter, setting in motion a journey that would culminate in a multi-crore Indian Premier League (IPL) contract years later.
The Fateful Act of Grace That Started It All
During a practice match he was umpiring, the 64-year-old Pandit, known for his rigidity, adjudged a young and highly-rated batsman not out despite the ball striking his pads. This act of concession was a significant departure from his norm. Seizing the lifeline, the teenager, Akshat Raghuwanshi, went on to smash a magnificent 165 runs. That innings not only deeply impressed Pandit but also became the golden ticket for Raghuwanshi's entry into the formal Madhya Pradesh (MP) cricket setup.
Fast forward to the IPL 2026 auction, and the fruits of that opportunity were on full display. The now 22-year-old Akshat Raghuwanshi became the subject of a fierce bidding war between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). LSG eventually secured the powerful right-handed batter for a staggering ₹2.2 crore, acquiring a player whose big-hitting prowess has drawn comparisons to Australia's Cameron Green. Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Venkatesh Iyer had earlier claimed he hadn't seen a more talented player than Raghuwanshi at the age of 21.
From Remote Ashoknagar to IPL Stardom: A Family's Emotional Ride
Raghuwanshi's path was not without its heartbreaks. Despite stellar performances, he went unsold in the previous IPL auction, a moment of deep disappointment for his family. "We were very sad after Akshat went unsold in the last IPL auction, as the whole family had sat down together to watch him get a historic opportunity," recalled his father, Krishna Pal, in an exclusive conversation. "This time, we were following proceedings quietly in our respective homes due to fear of another setback. However, everyone started bursting crackers and distributing sweets after Akshat got picked."
Hailing from the remote city of Ashoknagar in Madhya Pradesh, Raghuwanshi's father believes fewer opportunities delayed his son's IPL breakthrough by two years. His talent, however, was undeniable from a very young age. He started playing at just three years old, showing unprecedented strength and footwork. Interestingly, he could perfectly execute cover drives, flicks, and cuts even before he had fully developed the ability to speak, a sign that compelled his father to shift the family to Indore for better training.
Discipline, Grit, and a Radical Transformation
Raghuwanshi's training under former India cricketer Amay Khurasiya at the MP academy was built on a rock-solid foundation of discipline. Lateness was unpardonable, and while aggressive shots were encouraged, rashness was not. This environment forged a strong sense of accountability in the young cricketer. In a telling incident, when Khurasiya scolded him for leaving practice 15 minutes early on his father's insistence, Raghuwanshi was so guilt-ridden that he skipped both lunch and dinner that day, vowing never to repeat the mistake.
Despite scoring a century on his first-class debut for MP, Raghuwanshi faced a brutal realization a couple of years ago. He understood that orthodox cricket with a strike rate of around 150 would not secure an IPL spot. "Akshat used to tell me again and again, 'Players are scoring 80 off 40 balls and getting picked. Why will anyone take me?'," shared Krishna Pal. Convincing his father, Raghuwanshi radically transformed his game, focusing on innovation and power.
He devised a grueling training regimen aimed at maintaining a strike rate of 200, which included hitting 300 sixes daily in sessions lasting up to six hours. He stubbornly stuck to his aggressive approach, even when dropped as punishment by coaches critical of shots like his now-signature sweep. His perseverance paid off spectacularly in the last Madhya Pradesh Premier League, where he hammered 239 runs in just four matches at a strike rate of 177.04, including 16 sixes.
His talent has not gone unnoticed by peers. India and SRH star Abhishek Sharma praised him during a tournament in Baroda last year, encouraging him to believe in his abilities for the highest level. Khurasiya, his mentor, highlights his accurate length spotting, strong balance, and versatility to bat anywhere in the order, backed by immense mental strength.
From a gifted child in Ashoknagar to a disciplined academy graduate, and finally to a ₹2.2 crore IPL asset, Akshat Raghuwanshi's story is a powerful testament to talent, transformative hard work, and the profound impact of a single act of faith from a legendary coach.
