Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Role: Bowler
DOB: 28 December 1999
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: ₹20 Lakh
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 12 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 13* | 8.00 | 19 | 126.31 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 13* | 13.00 | 10 | 130.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 9* | 11.00 | 8 | 137.50 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 12 | 180 | 301 | 7 | 2/13 | 43.00 | 10.03 | 25.71 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 | 66 | 120 | 1 | 1/29 | 120.00 | 10.90 | 66.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 18 | 27 | 0 | 0/27 | – | 9.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 90 | 154 | 5 | 2/13 | 30.80 | 10.26 | 18.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1/0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6.00 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Kamlesh Nagarkoti burst onto the scene like a meteor, a dazzling talent from Rajasthan who promised to redefine Indian fast bowling. Hailing from Bharatpur, his journey began in earnest at the U19 level, where his raw pace and ability to swing the ball both ways caught the eye of national selectors. It was the 2018 U19 World Cup in New Zealand where Nagarkoti truly announced himself. Clocking speeds consistently over 140 km/h, often touching 145 km/h, he was a vital cog in Prithvi Shaw’s victorious Indian squad, forming a fearsome pace trio with Shivam Mavi and Ishan Porel. His electrifying spell against Australia, where he picked up 3 wickets for 29 runs, including the crucial scalp of Jack Edwards, showcased his immense potential and made him one of the tournament’s standout performers.
The IPL franchises were quick to take notice. Kolkata Knight Riders, renowned for backing young talent, secured his services for a hefty ₹3.2 crore in the 2018 auction. This was a significant sum for an uncapped teenager, reflecting the hype and expectation surrounding him. However, fate, in the form of persistent injuries, dealt Nagarkoti a cruel hand. A foot injury ruled him out of the entire 2018 season, and subsequent back issues kept him sidelined for 2019 as well. These were agonizing years for the young speedster, testing his resolve and patience.
His long-awaited IPL debut finally came in 2020 for KKR, a moment of immense relief and excitement for fans and Nagarkoti himself. He showed glimpses of his express pace and ability to hit hard lengths, picking up 5 wickets in 5 matches. While the economy rate was on the higher side, the potential was undeniable. He continued to work on his fitness and variations, but recurring injury concerns have remained a constant shadow over his promising career, limiting his appearances and preventing him from truly establishing himself as a regular in any IPL setup.
Nagarkoti’s bowling style is characterized by his natural pace and a smooth, rhythmic action. When fully fit, he can generate serious heat, troubling batsmen with short-pitched deliveries and late swing. He possesses a decent bouncer and a developing slower ball, but his primary weapon remains his ability to rush batsmen. His fielding is also a notable asset, often seen pulling off athletic saves and sharp catches, a testament to his overall athleticism despite the injury setbacks.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s IPL journey has been a tale of immense promise often interrupted by unfortunate injuries. His first major breakthrough came in the 2018 IPL auction when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) splurged a significant ₹3.2 crore to acquire him. This was a massive show of faith in the then-uncapped U19 star. However, a foot injury tragically ruled him out for the entire 2018 season, and further back issues kept him sidelined for 2019 as well, meaning he didn’t make his debut until 2020.
He finally donned the KKR purple and gold in 2020, playing 5 matches and picking up 5 wickets. His best performance that season was 2/13 against Rajasthan Royals, showcasing his potential. KKR retained him for 2021, but he played only one match before another injury curtailed his season. Despite the limited appearances, KKR continued to believe in his talent, repurchasing him in the 2022 mega-auction for ₹1.10 crore.
In 2022, Nagarkoti moved to the Delhi Capitals (DC) after being bought for ₹1.10 crore. He played 4 matches for DC, taking 1 wicket. While he showed flashes of his pace, consistency and wicket-taking ability remained a challenge. Unfortunately, he was released by DC ahead of the 2023 season and went unsold in the subsequent auctions, including the 2026 mini-auction, where he had a base price of ₹20 Lakh. His career has been a testament to raw talent battling against the relentless demands of professional cricket and the fragility of a fast bowler’s body.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting perspective, Kamlesh Nagarkoti presents a high-risk, potentially high-reward proposition, largely dictated by his fitness and form. When fully fit and firing, his express pace (often touching 140+ km/h) makes him a genuine wicket-taking threat, especially on pitches that offer some pace and bounce. His ability to rush batsmen and deliver a sharp bouncer can be effective in the powerplay and middle overs. Bettors might look for opportunities to back him for ‘Most Wickets’ in a specific match if he’s coming off a good domestic performance or if the pitch conditions are favorable for fast bowlers (e.g., Wankhede, Chinnaswamy on a fresh track).
However, his primary weakness has been consistency and, crucially, his injury record. His IPL career economy rate of over 10 runs per over is a significant concern, making him vulnerable to going for runs, particularly in death overs or against established power-hitters. This makes betting on ‘Over/Under Runs Conceded’ a tricky proposition; while he can pick up wickets, he can also be expensive. His average of 43.00 and strike rate of 25.71 also suggest that wicket-taking has not been consistent enough to offset his economy.
For bettors, it’s crucial to monitor team news regarding his fitness and selection. If he’s making a comeback, consider his recent domestic T20 form. He thrives in conditions where the ball swings early or where the pitch offers genuine pace. Against teams with a strong top-order but a vulnerable middle-order against pace, he might be a good ‘Wicket Taker’ bet. Conversely, against teams packed with aggressive openers and middle-order power-hitters, betting against his economy rate might be a safer option. His limited batting contributions mean he offers little value in ‘Man of the Match’ or ‘Runs Scored’ markets.
Key Records & Milestones
- One of the fastest bowlers in the 2018 U19 World Cup, consistently clocking speeds over 140 km/h.
- Secured a significant IPL contract of ₹3.2 crore with KKR in 2018 as an uncapped player.
- Made his long-awaited IPL debut in 2020 after missing two full seasons due to injury.
- Best IPL bowling figures: 2/13 in 3 overs against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020.
- Has taken 7 IPL wickets in 12 matches across his career.
IPL Season Highlights
Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s IPL career, though hampered by injuries, has seen moments of promise. His most impactful season was arguably IPL 2020 for Kolkata Knight Riders. After two years of waiting, he finally made his debut and played 5 matches. In a crucial game against Rajasthan Royals, he delivered a match-winning spell, picking up 2 wickets for just 13 runs from his 2 overs, including the key wicket of Robin Uthappa. This performance helped KKR defend a modest total and secure a vital win. He also showed glimpses of his fielding prowess, taking a stunning catch in the deep against Delhi Capitals.
While his IPL 2022 season with Delhi Capitals saw him play 4 matches, his impact was limited, taking only 1 wicket. His best performance came against his former team, KKR, where he picked up his sole wicket of the season, dismissing Sam Billings. Although not a standout season statistically, it marked his return to the IPL fold after another injury-affected year in 2021, showing his resilience and determination to compete at the highest level.