IPL Net Bowlers: The Unsung Heroes Powering Big Hits and Late-Over Drama

The Indian Premier League’s big hits and late overs drama are often shaped away from the cameras. Much of that work comes from net bowlers in practice sessions. While franchise stars earn crores, young pacers and spinners deliver for weeks in the nets. They act as key practice partners, yet most remain unknown to matchday audiences.

Teams usually keep three to five specialist net bowlers alongside the squad. They also use local bowlers arranged by state associations and clubs at each venue. Pay stays modest by IPL standards, at about Rs 5,000 to 7,000 per day. Still, many see access to top players as the real value.

IPL net bowlers and the work behind training

Net bowlers often get asked to copy elite styles for batters to practise against. Some are told to mimic Jasprit Bumrah’s yorkers, Sunil Narine’s mystery spin, or Mitchell Starc’s left-arm pace. It becomes an unusual learning phase in cricket. Many hope to swap carrying spare balls for wearing a franchise jersey.

Pacer J.V. Karthik, a net bowler from Karnataka, described why the role matters. “For me, bowling in the nets has never been about money. It is a rare opportunity to bowl to such great batsmen and to gain experience. That is the biggest incentive, and that is what matters,” Karthik said.

For several net bowlers, the best returns are informal. A quick chat with a senior Indian player can offer direction. A bowling coach may share a small technical change. Others value testing skills against top batters. Such close-up exposure can also show how players recover, study conditions, and prepare mentally.

IPL net bowlers and sudden career breakthroughs

In the IPL, a single spell in practice can change a player’s path. Gurnoor Brar is one example. Brar was first called to the Punjab Kings nets. Shikhar Dhawan, the then skipper, liked the bounce from the 6 feet 5 inch bowler. Brar later played one match for PBKS and became a Team India net bowler.

Harshit Rana also began as a net bowler before reaching the national side. Chetan Sakariya followed a similar route. Before playing for India, the left-arm pacer worked as a net bowler with the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals. Sakariya tried to draw attention from coaches and scouts while staying outside the spotlight.

Recounting the 2021 IPL auction, Sakariya said, “I was trialled at nets of both MI and RR. But it was an amazing moment for me when the Royals picked me up in the auction,” Sakariya recalled about the 2021 IPL auction where Rajasthan signed him for Rs 1.2 crore.

Sakariya said the step up also brought nerves and surprise. “I never expected that. I was a bit nervous, too, because the Royals are a big team with a lot of big stars. I was in awe to see the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and David Miller, he said. In the first match, Sakariya said the debut felt like the highlight.

“The happiest moment was when they handed me the debut cap in their first match of the season against Punjab Kings, and fortunately, I performed well,” Sakariya said, recalling his memorable debut spell of 3/31.

IPL net bowlers and other pathways into squads

Other players also moved from nets into match squads. Umran Malik impressed at the Sunrisers Hyderabad nets in the 2021 season in Dubai. Umran Malik later joined as a COVID-19 replacement for injured India pacer T Natarajan. Left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya started as a net bowler for the Mumbai Indians. Kumar Kartikeya then earned a 2022 mid-season deal, replacing injured Arshad Khan.

Akash Madhwal also worked as a net bowler at both RCB and MI. Akash Madhwal later received a Mumbai Indians contract. Yet most net bowlers do not travel for the full season. When teams shift cities, franchises tend to use locally arranged bowlers. Travel with the squad usually happens only in special cases, like injuries.

IPL net bowlers and scouting routes in India

Net bowler selection usually starts with domestic performances and scouting feedback. Strong showings in BCCI tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy can help. Scouts also monitor state leagues across India. Recommendations often decide who gets invited for a trial and who stays in a support role during the season.

Biju George, KKR Head Scout and a fielding coach, outlined the approach. “We track players during various state premier leagues, and we have around 19 state leagues running in the country. Once we find a bowler who has good pace, variations and temperament, we pass the information to the team’s coaching staff. They will be then invited for trials,” he said.

George said trials aim to test skills under pressure. “In the trials, we put them in match situations to further assess their skills. If the management thinks a particular player suits their needs, then the team will acquire him in the auction. But a couple of others will stay with the team as net bowlers for the rest of the season,” he added.

For J.V. Karthik, one net chance still stands out. “Back in 2023, I had a chance to bowl to the Mumbai Indians team at nets. It was the first time I bowled to players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David and some others,” Karthik said.

Karthik said the session also showed the standards at the top level. “They were all very special batsmen, and we understood why they played international cricket for such a long time. I think I bowled for about 20-30 minutes, and later, after the nets, they were happy to pose for some photos for us, and I got signs of Rohit and Suryakumar on the ball that I bowled to them.”

Such memories can feel like proof that a gap to recognition may be smaller than it looks. Even without attention during matches, net bowlers keep learning in the background. Their daily work supports team preparation in a tournament known for glamour, auctions, and large salaries. Our Bengaluru Senior Sports Correspondent, G Unnikrishnan, contributed to the report.

With inputs from PTI