Siddharth Kaul

Siddharth Kaul

Role: Bowler
DOB: 19 May 1990
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: Not applicable (Unsold)

The Story of Siddharth Kaul

Hailing from Punjab, Siddharth Kaul’s cricketing journey began under the tutelage of his father, a former Ranji Trophy player. His early promise was evident when he was part of the victorious Indian U19 World Cup squad in 2008, sharing the dressing room with future stars like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. While some of his peers shot to immediate IPL fame, Kaul’s path was a more patient grind. After a brief, solitary appearance for Delhi Daredevils in 2013, it was his consistent domestic performances that truly paved his way back to the biggest T20 league.

Kaul’s IPL breakthrough arrived with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, a franchise renowned for its bowling prowess. He quickly established himself as a reliable death-overs specialist, a role he perfected over the next few seasons. His playing style is characterized by a bustling run-up, a high-arm action, and a potent arsenal of variations, most notably his deceptive knuckleball and well-disguised slower deliveries. He’s known for hitting the deck hard, extracting bounce, and possessing the courage to bowl difficult overs.

The 2017 and 2018 seasons were the zenith of Kaul’s IPL career, where he became an indispensable part of SRH’s formidable bowling attack. His aggressive celebrations and never-say-die attitude on the field endeared him to fans. He was often seen celebrating wickets with a fierce roar and a chest thump, embodying the competitive spirit of his team. While his form has fluctuated in recent years, the memory of his peak performances as a wicket-taking death bowler remains fresh, a testament to his skill and temperament.

IPL Journey: Team by Team

Siddharth Kaul’s IPL journey began in 2008 when he was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 20 lakhs, though he didn’t feature in any matches. His actual IPL debut came in 2013 with Delhi Daredevils, who acquired him for INR 20 lakhs, where he played just one game. The turning point arrived when Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him up for a modest INR 10 lakhs in the 2016 auction. He quickly became a vital cog, contributing to their title win in 2016 and then enjoying two stellar seasons in 2017 and 2018, where he bagged 16 wickets each year. His consistent performances led SRH to retain him for INR 3.8 crores in the 2018 mega-auction, showcasing his value to the franchise.

He continued with SRH until 2021, where his opportunities became more sporadic. In the latter half of the 2021 season, he was traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB then re-signed him for INR 75 lakhs in the 2022 mega-auction. However, his stint with RCB was brief, playing only one match in 2022. Since then, despite his continued presence in domestic cricket, Kaul has remained unsold in subsequent IPL auctions, indicating a shift in team strategies towards younger talent or different skill sets.

What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective

Siddharth Kaul, in his prime, was a bettor’s delight for wicket-taking markets, especially in the middle and death overs. His primary strength lies in his variations – the knuckleball, slower balls, and ability to hit hard lengths. These variations, when executed precisely, can bamboozle even the best batsmen, making him a strong contender for “Over X.5 Wickets” bets on pitches that offer some grip or bounce. He thrives on slightly slower surfaces or larger grounds where batsmen are forced to take risks against his changes of pace.

However, Kaul’s weakness has been his consistency, particularly in recent years. When his variations don’t land, or on flat, small grounds, he can be prone to leaking runs at an alarming rate. This makes him a risky bet for “Under X.5 Economy Rate” on batting paradises. Bettors should carefully assess the pitch and ground dimensions. In matches where the opposition has a strong lineup of power-hitters who thrive against pace, betting against Kaul for “Most Wickets” or considering him for “Most Expensive Bowler” might be a shrewd move. His experience, however, means he can still deliver a match-winning spell on his day, making him a potential dark horse for “Man of the Match” if conditions are favourable and he’s found some rhythm.

Key Records & Milestones

• Part of the Indian U19 World Cup winning squad in 2008.
• One of the leading wicket-takers for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2017 and 2018 IPL seasons, with 16 wickets in each.
• Achieved his career-best IPL bowling figures of 3/23 against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2018.
• Boasts an impressive IPL career bowling strike rate of 16.06, indicating his wicket-taking ability.

IPL Season Highlights

Siddharth Kaul’s most impactful IPL season came in 2018 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was a cornerstone of their bowling attack, picking up 16 wickets from 17 matches at an economy of 8.31. His ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs, especially in the death overs, was instrumental in SRH reaching the final. A standout performance included his 3/23 against Mumbai Indians, where he dismantled their middle order, showcasing his knack for picking up key wickets under pressure.

The 2017 season was equally impressive, where Kaul truly announced himself as a force to be reckoned with. He matched his 2018 tally of 16 wickets, but at a phenomenal average of 14.93 and an economy rate of just 6.63 from 10 matches. This season saw him consistently outfoxing batsmen with his variations, establishing himself as a reliable option for David Warner. His 3/24 against Kings XI Punjab was a prime example of his effectiveness, helping SRH defend a modest total.

While his recent seasons haven’t hit the same heights, Kaul showed glimpses of his past form in 2021. Playing for both SRH and RCB, he managed 5 wickets from 7 matches. Though the numbers don’t fully reflect it, he delivered some tight spells and picked up important wickets, such as his 2/29 against Rajasthan Royals, demonstrating that the spark was still there, even if opportunities were fewer.