New Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Madhya Pradesh bowling all-rounder Shivang Kumar has said that playing for India is his “ultimate goal” after his impressive performances in IPL 2026 and domestic cricket.
Left-arm wrist spinner Shivang took nine wickets in 13 matches in IPL 2026. He then joined the Indian Test team as a net bowler for the one-off Test against Afghanistan and then for the Sri Lanka tour. However, playing officially for the Indian team remains his biggest goal.
‘IPL is not the ultimate goal, playing for India is the goal’
Shivang said, as quoted by Cricinfo, “It feels good, but right now I’m not focusing too much on the fact that I played in the IPL and served as a net bowler for India. Every player who plays in the IPL is one of the best in their state or country, which is why the IPL is the best league in the world.”
He said, “It still takes some time to fully understand how to perform there. But the IPL isn’t my ultimate goal; India is my ultimate goal. There’s still a long way to go, and a lot of cricket left to play. This was my first season, and it’s just the beginning.”
Got hints of playing in the SRH camp itself
Shivang said that he got hints at the SRH pre-season camp itself that he could become a regular in the team’s playing XI in IPL 2026.
He said, “From the very first day of the pre-season camp, I started getting hints that I could be included in the playing XI from the first match. The coaches were discussing strategies with me, creating different situations for me to bowl, and even saying, ‘You’re our wicket-taker.'”
Shivang said that he performed well in practice matches as well. Although he didn’t get a chance in the opening match, he became a regular in the team from the second match onwards.
Crucial wicket against Punjab Kings
Shivang didn’t have a great start to his IPL career, but in his third match, he took a crucial wicket against Punjab Kings.
He said the team management consistently placed their trust in him. This trust gave him the confidence to perform well at the big stage.
Shivang said, “A new player needs exactly this kind of environment to grow and perform their best. It works like magic, and you start performing well. This year, I did the best I could and hope to do even better next year.”
Great support from Daniel Vettori and Varun Aaron
Shivang also recalled the support he received from SRH head coach Daniel Vettori and bowling coach Varun Aaron.
Regarding Vettori, he said that being a spinner, he understands the bowler’s mindset very well. Shivang said that when he was leaking runs or not taking wickets in some matches, Vettori would talk to him during strategic timeouts.
He said, “He would say, ‘You’re bowling well. Even good balls can be hit for sixes, so don’t think too much about it.’ His support meant a lot to me. It made me feel like I could turn the situation around.”
Regarding Varun Aaron, Shivang said that even when he wasn’t performing well in a match, Aaron wouldn’t let him feel discouraged.
He said, “He would speak to me in very positive and positive terms, saying, ‘You’re only using 50 percent of your potential right now, you can do much better.’ When a player who has played Test cricket for the country says things like that, it gives you immense confidence.”
Shivang wants to make a name for himself with the bat as well
Shivang already possesses a unique skill set as a left-arm wrist spinner, but he can also bat, which further enhances his usefulness.
Due to SRH’s strong batting lineup, he didn’t get many chances to bat in the IPL. However, in the ongoing Madhya Pradesh Premier League, he has batted at a strike rate of 180.22.
Shivang said, “I want to show the world that I can bat too. I started my cricket career as a batsman. SRH’s batting lineup is so strong that I rarely get a chance to bat. But they recognize my batting abilities and encourage me.”