Rasikh Salam Dar is one of Indian domestic cricket’s most resilient stories, a right-arm fast-medium bowler from Jammu and Kashmir who was spotted by legendary former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan at the age of 17, became the youngest player to debut for the Mumbai Indians, was subsequently handed a two-year BCCI ban over a birth certificate discrepancy, and then fought back through sheer determination to return to the IPL, serve multiple franchises, and eventually earn a place in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad.
His journey from the villages of Kashmir to the dressing rooms of the IPL is among the most compelling personal narratives in recent Indian domestic cricket.
| Rasikh Salam Dar | |
|---|---|
Rasikh Salam Dar: History · Bio · Photo
|
|
| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Rasikh Salam Dar |
| Born: | April 5, 2000 |
| Age: | 26 years old |
| Birthplace: | Jammu and Kashmir, India (hometown: Kulgam) |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Occupation: | Professional Cricketer |
| Height: | 5 ft 8 in (175 cm) |
| Religion: | Islam |
| Parents: | Abdul Salam Dar (father, school teacher); Saleem Dar (mother, homemaker) |
| Siblings: | Irfan Salam Dar (brother); two sisters |
| Relationship: | Single |
Early Life
Rasikh Salam Dar was born on April 5, 2000, in Jammu and Kashmir. He hails from Kulgam, a district in the southern part of the Kashmir Valley, and was raised in a modest household.
His father, Abdul Salam Dar, works as a school teacher, a background that instilled in Rasikh the value of education and disciplined learning, which he later translated into a disciplined approach to cricket. His mother, Saleem Dar, is a homemaker. He has a brother named Irfan Salam Dar and two sisters, all of whom have been supportive of his cricket journey.
His initial coaching came from his cousin brothers, Nadeem Dar and Mubeen Koul, who first identified his potential and encouraged him to develop his skills in local cricket.
Education
Verified sources confirm that Rasikh Salam Dar is a high school dropout, having prioritised cricket over formal academic pursuits at a relatively early age.
His training and cricketing development took place through local academies and the Jammu and Kashmir domestic cricket system, where he was first noticed by Irfan Pathan during a talent-scouting initiative.
Career
Domestic Debut and IPL Discovery (2018–2019)
Rasikh made his List-A debut for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy on October 3, 2018, and his first-class debut followed in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy on December 30, 2018.
His T20 debut came in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on February 22, 2019. His pace, consistently clocking above 140 kmph, attracted the attention of the Mumbai Indians franchise, which purchased him at the 2019 IPL auction.
At just 17 years and 353 days on his debut for Mumbai Indians, he became the youngest player ever to represent the franchise, a record that stands to this date. However, he failed to take wickets in his limited appearances and was not retained.
The Ban and Comeback (2019–2022)
In June 2019, the BCCI handed Rasikh a two-year ban after finding him guilty of submitting a forged birth certificate.
The ban had immediate knock-on effects: he was removed from the India Under-19 squad that he had been named in, his IPL future was placed in serious jeopardy, and his career was effectively put on hold at its most promising early stage.
Rather than abandon the sport, Rasikh returned to intensive domestic practice, honing his variations, particularly his slower ball and knuckle-ball deliveries, and his command over death-over bowling.
In February 2022, following the completion of his ban and a strong domestic return, the Kolkata Knight Riders signed him at the IPL 2022 auction.
Return and Recognition (2022–present)
After his KKR stint in 2022, Rasikh was acquired by the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024 auction. In 2025, he was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the franchise that went on to win the 2025 IPL title under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar.
Rasikh contributed to RCB’s campaign, with a particularly notable performance against Lucknow Super Giants in which he took four wickets.
He transitioned his domestic representation from Jammu and Kashmir to Baroda in 2025, with his most recent first-class appearance for Baroda vs Jharkhand on November 8–11, 2025, and his most recent T20 appearance in DC vs RCB on April 27, 2026.
His career bowling record includes 50 T20 wickets with a best of 6/31 and consistent economy rates in death-over situations.
Awards and Nominations
- IPL Record – Youngest player to debut for Mumbai Indians (17 years and 353 days)
Social Media
Rasikh Salam Dar maintains social media accounts.
- Instagram: @rasikhsalam04
Personal Life
Rasikh Salam Dar is single and unmarried. He is completely focused on rebuilding and extending his cricket career after his return from the two-year ban.
He enjoys travelling and working out in his spare time. He is a practicing Muslim. No information about a romantic relationship is available in verified sources.
Net Worth
No confirmed net worth figure for Rasikh Salam Dar is available in verified public sources.
His income is primarily derived from IPL contracts, BCCI domestic cricket fees, and Ranji/Vijay Hazare Trophy match payments.
Career Statistics Highlights
- List-A debut: October 3, 2018 (J&K vs Rajasthan, Vijay Hazare Trophy)
- First-class debut: December 30, 2018 (J&K vs Assam, Ranji Trophy)
- T20 debut: February 22, 2019 (Jharkhand vs J&K, SMAT)
- IPL debut: 2019 (Mumbai Indians)
- IPL teams: Mumbai Indians (2019), Kolkata Knight Riders (2022), Delhi Capitals (2024), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025–present)
- T20 career: 50 wickets, best figures 6/31
- Bowling speed: 135–140 kmph consistently
Conclusion
Rasikh Salam Dar’s career is a story of extraordinary adversity overcome through extraordinary determination.
Banned at his most promising moment, he could have faded into obscurity, instead, he used the enforced absence to mature as a cricketer and returned to the IPL stage with a more complete skillset.
His association with an IPL-winning RCB squad in 2025, having come through the darkest chapter of his early career, makes him one of the most humanly compelling stories in contemporary Indian cricket.
Related People
Leave a Reply