Rasikh Salam Dar is a young Indian fast-medium bowler from Jammu and Kashmir whose career has been defined as much by adversity as by extraordinary natural talent.
The youngest player ever to make his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians, banned by the BCCI for two years due to a birth certificate irregularity, repeatedly troubled by injury, and ultimately emerging as a key contributor for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, his story is one of the most dramatic and compelling in contemporary Indian cricket.
Hailing from the Ashmuji village in Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, he represents both the growing cricketing potential of his home region and the resilience required to survive the unforgiving competitive landscape of Indian cricket.
Profile
| Full Name | Rasikh Salam Dar |
| Born | April 5, 2000 |
| Age | 25 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Ashmuji, Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Professional Cricketer |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Domestic Teams | Jammu & Kashmir (2018–2025); Baroda (2025–present) |
| IPL Teams | Mumbai Indians (2019); Kolkata Knight Riders (2022); Delhi Capitals (2024); Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025–present) |
Early Life
Rasikh Salam Dar was born on April 5, 2000, in Ashmuji, a village in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. He grew up in a region not traditionally associated with the highest levels of Indian cricket, but one where the sport has been growing steadily in popularity and participation. As one of just a handful of cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir to secure an IPL contract, he was the third to do so, his story carries significant symbolic importance for the cricket aspirations of young people from his home region.
From an early age, Rasikh displayed an ability to generate sharp pace, a quality that is rare and precious in Indian cricket, where the vast majority of cricketers are batsmen or spinners. His natural ability to bowl quickly, sustain pace over multiple overs, and generate awkward bounce caught the attention of coaches and selectors at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. He trained diligently and made rapid progress through age-group cricket in the state, establishing himself as one of the most exciting fast bowling prospects in the domestic system.
Education
Specific information about Rasikh Salam Dar’s formal educational background has not been extensively documented in public sources. Given that he made his first-class debut for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2018–19 domestic season at approximately 18 years of age, and was contracted by the Mumbai Indians in December 2018 for the 2019 IPL season, his entry into professional cricket came at an age when most young people are completing secondary school or beginning university. His cricket career has been his primary focus from a young age, and the Indian cricket establishment, particularly the Mumbai Indians’ development infrastructure, has served as a significant part of his professional formation.
Career
Rasikh Salam Dar made his domestic cricket debut for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2018–19 season, appearing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT), and the Ranji Trophy. His performances, particularly his ability to clock over 140 km/h and generate swing, attracted the attention of IPL franchises immediately.
In December 2018, the Mumbai Indians purchased him at the IPL auction ahead of the 2019 season, making him the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to receive an IPL contract and, at 17 years and 353 days upon his MI debut, the youngest player ever to debut for the Mumbai Indians franchise in IPL history. His ability to generate significant pace at such a young age impressed the MI management considerably, and the franchise took him under their wing for development.
However, his promising career was dramatically interrupted in June 2019 when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) imposed a two-year ban on Rasikh Salam Dar following a discrepancy in his birth certificate. The ban, which ran until 2021, was one of the most difficult periods of his life and career. Rather than abandoning cricket, he used this period productively, training at the Mumbai Indians’ development camp throughout the ban, working on his skills, maintaining his physical conditioning, and preparing for his return to competitive cricket.
He returned to domestic cricket in 2021, and his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy quickly re-established him as a credible IPL prospect. The Kolkata Knight Riders signed him at his base price of ₹20 lakh in the 2022 IPL mega-auction, a contract that reflected his continued promise but also the uncertainty that the ban had created around his profile. However, just two games into the 2022 IPL season, Rasikh suffered a lower back injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign, another cruel setback in a career that has repeatedly tested his resilience.
His resurgence in the 2023–24 domestic season, during which he produced strong performances across formats, attracted the attention of the Delhi Capitals, who signed him for IPL 2024. His performances for Delhi were impressive and helped to rehabilitate his reputation as a genuine fast bowling asset. Royal Challengers Bengaluru then signed him for ₹6 crore ahead of IPL 2025, making a significant investment in his talent.
Rasikh’s contributions to RCB’s historic back-to-back IPL title wins in 2025 and 2026 marked the peak of his career so far. In 2025, he took a memorable four-wicket haul against Lucknow Super Giants, emerging as one of RCB’s most impactful performers with the ball. He also represents Baroda in domestic cricket since 2025, having transferred from Jammu and Kashmir to gain greater exposure to competitive first-class cricket.
Social Media
Rasikh Salam Dar maintains an active social media presence on Instagram and Twitter/X, where he engages with fans and shares updates on his cricket career. His growing popularity following RCB’s IPL 2025 and 2026 victories has significantly expanded his social media following. He is frequently featured in RCB’s official social media content across Instagram, Twitter/X, and YouTube.
Personal Life
Rasikh Salam Dar maintains an intensely private personal life. He is from Jammu and Kashmir and has spoken about the importance of his family’s support throughout the most difficult periods of his career, particularly during his BCCI ban and subsequent injury. His story is deeply intertwined with the aspirations of a generation of young cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir who see in his journey a proof of concept for what is achievable from the region. He is widely described by coaches and teammates as a hard worker, a humble teammate, and a relentlessly competitive fast bowler.
Net Worth
Rasikh Salam Dar’s net worth has grown significantly since his IPL career resumed. His RCB contract for IPL 2025 was valued at ₹6 crore, a substantial sum that reflects the franchise’s confidence in his potential. His total earnings from IPL contracts across Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, and RCB, combined with BCCI domestic match fees and domestic cricket earnings, place his estimated net worth in the range of ₹8–12 crore as of 2026.
FAQs
Who is Rasikh Salam?
Rasikh Salam Dar is an Indian fast-medium bowler from Jammu and Kashmir who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL and Baroda in domestic cricket. He is the youngest player to have debuted for Mumbai Indians in IPL history.
Why was Rasikh Salam banned?
He was banned by the BCCI for two years in June 2019 due to a discrepancy in his birth certificate.
What IPL teams has Rasikh Salam played for?
He has played for Mumbai Indians (2019), Kolkata Knight Riders (2022), Delhi Capitals (2024), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025–present).
How old is Rasikh Salam?
Born on April 5, 2000, he is 25 years old as of 2025.
Conclusion
Rasikh Salam Dar’s career is a remarkable story of talent tested by adversity and ultimately vindicated by perseverance. Few cricketers in the current generation have had to overcome as many obstacles, a career-defining ban, serious injury, and the unique challenges of developing as a cricketer from the relatively less-resourced cricketing environment of Jammu and Kashmir. That he has emerged as an important contributor to one of the IPL’s most successful modern dynasties is a testament to his exceptional physical gifts, his mental fortitude, and the support systems, particularly the Mumbai Indians’ development infrastructure, that helped sustain him through his darkest moments. His best cricket is still ahead of him.