Who is Rajvardhan Hangargekar? - All you need to know about CSK's INR 1.5 crore recruit

The Day 2 of the IPL 2022 mega auction saw a few emerging talents being given opportunities by the franchises including the likes of India’s U19 World Cup-winning skipper Yash Dhull, all-rounder Raj Bawa, etc. and among them was Rajyavardhan Hangargekar. The youngster was one of India Colts’ integral members in the team’s record fifth U19 title in the Caribbean recently. Hangargekar has been roped in by the defending champions Chennai Super Kings for INR 1.5 crore.

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The 19-year-old had come into the IPL 2022 mega auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh. The five-time winners Mumbai Indians were the first to bid for him before new entrants Lucknow Super Giants joined the action and suddenly, CSK made their presence felt. The following bidding war was between the arch-rivals Mumbai and Chennai before the latter succeeded in roping the youngster for the 15th edition of the marquee tournament.

As Hangargekar looks forward to making his IPL debut in the upcoming season, here’s all you need to know about the emerging cricketer from Tuljapur.

Who is CSK’s new recruit Rajvardhan Hangargekar?

One of the promising cricketing superstars of the future, Rajyavardhan is a fast-bowling all-rounder who can also slog well lower down the order. He had made his List A debut on 21 February 2021, for Maharashtra in the 2020-21 season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, he announced his arrival on the big stage almost a year later in the ICC U19 World Cup 2022.

He mattered for the Boys in Blues when it mattered the most and he bought the best in him during the all-important semi-final clash against Australia as he bowled at an astonishing pace of 141.7 kph even though he had gone wicketless in that game. Hangargekar finished the tournament with four scalps from five matches and also made it matter with his pinch-hitting abilities and also struck three consecutive sixes in the group game against Ireland scoring an unbeaten 37.

The title-holders would now be hoping that the Maharashtra cricketer makes a tremendous impact by making the ball do the talking and smoking the ball over the ropes in the upcoming season.