Kuldeep Sen

Position: Bowler

Kuldeep Sen, journey from a small village in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh to the fiery pitches of the IPL is a testament to resilience, raw talent, and unwavering determination. Born on October 22, 1996, Kuldeep is the son of Ram Pal Sen, a village barber, and grew up as the third among five children. His passion for cricket began early, and under the encouragement of his mother and local coach Aril Anthony, he steadily transformed his raw pace and bounce into a formidable fast-bowling arsenal.

After making his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in November 2018, Kuldeep earned recognition in domestic cricket through strong performances in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In the 2021–22 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he topped the wicket-taking charts for Madhya Pradesh with 17 scalps, including a standout five-wicket haul . His impressive domestic form paved the way for his IPL debut in 2022 with Rajasthan Royals, where he made an immediate impact with a sensational 4/20 in his first match .

Battling Injury: The Roadblocks

Kuldeep Sen's promising start at the international level was interrupted in December 2022 when he suffered a back injury after making his ODI debut for India in Bangladesh. He was ruled out of the remaining matches in the series, and the injury kept him away from competitive cricket for much of 2023. He returned to the domestic circuit in early 2024, gradually regaining match fitness and form through domestic competitions.

Despite the setback, Kuldeep remained committed to his rehabilitation and continued to work on his bowling. His persistence paid off when Punjab Kings (PBKS) acquired him for ₹80 lakh during the IPL 2025 auction, signaling renewed belief in his potential as a fast bowler.

A New Beginning with PBKS

Kuldeep’s arrival at PBKS ahead of the 2025 season gave him a fresh platform to showcase his skills. Under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS focused on strengthening their pace attack, and Kuldeep was seen as a valuable addition. Known for regularly bowling above 140 km/h and extracting bounce, he brought raw pace to complement experienced bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson.

Up to the 2025 season, Kuldeep Sen had played 12 IPL matches and taken 14 wickets, with an economy rate of around 9.6 in earlier editions. Though his appearances in 2025 were limited, he featured in important phases like the powerplay and middle overs. His experience alongside seasoned bowlers has been seen as beneficial to his development, and fans have acknowledged his potential to be a regular starter on pace-friendly pitches.

Role and Performance in IPL 2025

Kuldeep Sen was part of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) squad for the 2025 IPL season. Known for his ability to bowl above 140 km/h and generate bounce, Kuldeep was used primarily during the powerplay and middle overs. While his appearances this season were limited, he remained a valuable squad member in a competitive pace lineup that included experienced bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson.

As of the 2025 season, Kuldeep has played a total of 12 IPL matches across his career and taken 14 wickets, with an economy rate around 9.6 in earlier seasons. While he didn’t play a leading role in PBKS’s playoff matches, his presence added depth to the squad. Punjab Kings finished at the top of the league stage and went on to reach the final, where they were defeated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Personal Life: Humble Roots, Strong Will

Kuldeep’s personal story is one of humble beginnings and family sacrifice. He grew up in a supportive household where education and hard work were ingrained early on. Although day-to-day details about his personal life—marriage, spouse, or children—remain private, what remains clear is that his family, especially his mother, stands firmly behind his ambitions .

Looking Ahead

At 28 years old, Kuldeep’s career is entering a period of immense promise. With his IPL performances under PBKS and his return from injury, he’s back in contention for national team consideration—especially in white-ball formats that favour pace and bounce. As he continues to refine his skills under PBKS’s coaching staff and in elite training conditions, Sen appears ready to elevate his game further.

From enduring a serious back injury to carving a place in a top-tier IPL side, Kuldeep Sen’s journey encapsulates the essence of modern sports resilience. His narrative is far from over—more chapters await in what promises to be a compelling career trajectory for one of India’s exciting pace prospects.

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