Kashmir, which prides itself on former Team India player Parvez Rasool, now has another young cricketer to root for at the national level. Rasikh Salam Dar, 26, has emerged as the next rising star following his stupendous performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, particularly the decisive contribution in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) title win against Gujarat Titans.

Rasikh, a right-arm medium pacer, took three wickets against 27 runs in the final, helping restrict the opponents to 155. Doing the job alongside established bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the Australian Josh Hazelwood, Rasikh struck at crucial moments in the match. Playing in 12 matches in this IPL, he took 19 wickets with an economy rate of 9.40.

Parvez, a former Indian allrounder and the first IPL player from Kashmir, described Rasikh’s feat as a “proud moment for all”. “The way Rasikh bowled through the tournament was great. He was an important bowler in his squad. It is a proud moment for all of us and everyone in Kashmir too,” he told INDIA TODAY, hoping to see Rasikh find a spot in the Indian team.

“He is good with the white ball. My advice to him is to keep inspiring more boys from Kashmir through his performance and consistency,” said Parvez, who made his ODI debut when India toured Bangladesh in 2014. Young Kashmiris performing at the national level in cricket is a welcoming prospect, he added.

Born on April 5, 2000, Rasikh hails from Ashumji village in Kulgam district of south Kashmir. Father Abdul Salam Dar, a government teacher, said his son—the youngest among four siblings (Rasikh has a brother and two sisters)—has been immersed in cricket since childhood. “He was good in both studies and sports. We supported wholeheartedly for him to nurture his dreams,” a joyous Salam Dar said, recalling how the father-son would hold practice sessions at home.

Rasikh’s talent was spotted by former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan during a visit to Srinagar in 2018. He made his IPL debut the very next year for Mumbai Indians. That made him the third cricketer from Kashmir to feature in an IPL, after Parvez and Manzoor Dar. However, a ‘discrepancy’ related to Rasikh’s date of birth invited a two-year ban from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Despite the setback, Rasikh kept training and improving his bowling, eventually leading to stints with Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and now champions RCB. What next? “It is my dream that Rasikh gets selected in the Indian ODI squad and represents the country at the international level,” said Salam Dar.

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