Kulwant Khejroliya

Position: Bowler

Kulwant Khejroliya, born March 13, 1992 in Churi Ajitgarh, Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, has carved out a remarkable rise in Indian cricket despite humble beginnings. Standing at about 1.83 m, the left-arm medium-fast bowler emerged from a lower-middle-class household where his father, Shankar Singh Khejroliya, ran a grocery store, and his mother, Saroj Kanwar, was a homemaker. He also has an elder brother, Hemant, who works in the state roadways.

Early Struggles and Breakthrough

Kulwant’s journey wasn't straightforward. After school he attempted railways exams and even worked as a waiter in Goa. A friend encouraged him to join the LB Shastri Cricket Academy in Delhi, where his talent was spotted. Coaches and legend Gautam Gambhir took notice, and under the mentorship of Sanjay Bhardwaj and Atul Wassan, he developed his distinctive swing pedigree.

He debuted in List A cricket for Delhi in the 2016–17 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 26 February 2017, claiming a three-wicket haul October 2017 marked his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy, soon followed by a sensational six-wicket performance in the semi-finals. In January 2018, he debuted in T20s for Delhi during the Zonal T20 League.

IPL: From Benchwarmer to Gujarat Titans

His IPL story has been one of patience. Mumbai Indians snapped him up for ₹10 lakh in 2017, but he didn’t make the playing XI. Royal Challengers Bangalore purchased him for ₹85 lakh in 2018 and extended that contract into 2019, though opportunities were limited. In 2023, he moved to Kolkata Knight Riders, playing just a couple of matches. In 2024, he served as a net bowler for Chennai Super Kings.

The turning point came in the 2025 IPL Auction, where Gujarat Titans secured him in the accelerated round for ₹30 lakh. In his debut match for GT on April 9, 2025, he claimed the wicket of a top-order batter, returning figures of 1/29 in 3 overs. Over the season, he featured once for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, taking 1 wicket at an economy of 9.66.

Stellar Domestic Form

Beyond the IPL, Kulwant Khejroliya found his true rhythm in domestic cricket. After shifting to Madhya Pradesh in 2023, he delivered one of the standout bowling performances of the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy season. In January 2024, during a match against Baroda, Kulwant created history by becoming only the third Indian to take four wickets in four balls in first-class cricket. His remarkable spell helped Madhya Pradesh secure an innings victory and drew widespread attention to his resurgence.

Kulwant has long been a force in India’s domestic circuit. In earlier seasons, he picked up a hat-trick and career-best 6/31 in a Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinal while playing for Delhi in 2018. These flashes of brilliance, combined with consistent performances in red-ball and white-ball formats, played a crucial role in rekindling IPL franchises’ interest in him ahead of the 2025 season.

Role and Impact on Gujarat Titans

Kulwant serves as a middle-overs option and left-arm pace variety for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. Though used sparingly, his angle, ability to extract bounce, and deceptive pace bring strategic value to the team’s bowling attack. In his debut match for Gujarat Titans on April 9, 2025, he claimed 1 wicket for 29 runs in 3 overs, showing glimpses of the swing and control that earned him his recall.

While Gujarat Titans’ success in the 2025 season has largely hinged on top-order performances, especially with the bat, depth players like Kulwant have provided much-needed flexibility. His role, while limited in match time, is pivotal in offering left-arm balance to a predominantly right-arm pace attack—something that can make a difference in crunch overs when match-ups and angles matter.

Personal Life: No Wife Yet, No Kids Yet

Contrary to some rumors, Kulwant remains unmarried and does not yet have a wife, son, or daughter . His singular focus continues to be on cricket, with dreams of one day bringing international recognition to his family.

Legacy and Forward Look

At 33, Kulwant Khejroliya exemplifies resilience. From rural Rajasthan to IPL arenas, his journey—characterized by perseverance, family support, and breakout domestic achievements—stands as a testament to the power of hard work. As he enters the prime of his career with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 and beyond, expectations are high. Fans hope he can transform limited opportunities into enduring milestones, capitalizing on his domestic dominance and IPL breakthrough to secure a place among India’s elite pace bowlers.

Also Read: Rahul Tewatia