Kulwant Khejroliya is a talented Indian cricketer, born on March 13, 1992, in Churi Ajitgarh, Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan. Known for his left-arm medium-fast bowling and left-handed batting, he currently represents Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket.
Early Life and Journey to Professional Cricket
Before making his mark in the world of cricket, Kulwant Khejroliya worked as a waiter. His journey to professional cricket was not a traditional one, as selectors initially hesitated to include him in the Ranji Trophy squad due to his lack of experience. However, Khejroliya impressed them with his pace and ability to move the ball. He spent time travelling with the team and honing his skills in practice sessions, which eventually led to his breakthrough.
Domestic Career Highlights
Kulwant made his List A debut for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Himachal Pradesh on February 26, 2017, where he took 3 wickets. He followed this with a strong first-class debut against Assam on October 6, 2017, capturing two wickets. Khejroliya formed an effective bowling partnership with Navdeep Saini, helping Delhi reach the finals of the Ranji Trophy in the 2017-18 season. During the semi-finals against Bengal, he showcased his skills with match figures of 6/104.
In T20 cricket, Khejroliya debuted for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Punjab on January 9, 2018. Notably, he moved to Madhya Pradesh in 2023 and became the third bowler in Ranji Trophy history to take four wickets in four balls. He also achieved a hat-trick against Haryana in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, finishing with figures of 6/31.
IPL Career
Kulwant Khejroliya entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) market in 2017 when Mumbai Indians acquired him for INR 10 lakhs, although he did not play any matches that season. The following year, he was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for INR 85 lakhs, making his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2018.
He served as a replacement player for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021, but did not play any matches. In 2023, Khejroliya was acquired by KKR for INR 20 lakhs, where he made a couple of appearances. More recently, in 2024, he worked as a net bowler for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Career Statistics
Bowling Statistics
| Format | Mat | Inn | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Best | Avg | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 27 | 48 | 4490 | 2431 | 73 | 5/34 | 33.30 | 3.24 | 61.5 |
| List A | 40 | 40 | 1844 | 1643 | 75 | 6/31 | 21.90 | 5.34 | 24.5 |
| T20s | 25 | 25 | 505 | 679 | 26 | 4/26 | 26.11 | 8.06 | 19.4 |
Batting Statistics
| Format | Mat | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 27 | 31 | 135 | 21* | 7.10 | 71.80 |
| List A | 40 | 16 | 64 | 18* | 7.11 | 75.29 |
| T20s | 25 | 2 | 19 | 18* | — | 190.00 |
Conclusion
Kulwant Khejroliya’s journey from a waiter to a professional cricketer is a testament to his dedication and hard work. With impressive performances in domestic cricket and a promising stint in the IPL, he has established himself as a valuable left-arm medium-fast bowler. As he continues to develop his skills, Khejroliya is set to make significant contributions to his teams in the future.
