Who is Tejasvi Singh Dahiya? The 3 Crore KKR Rookie Concussion Substitute
During the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL 2026 fixture against the Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens, Angkrish Raghuvanshi sustained an injury that triggered an immediate ICC concussion protocol check. The mid-match collision brought 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Tejasvi Singh Dahiya into the spotlight as he took the field for KKR.
The incident occurred in the 11th over of the Mumbai Indians’ innings. Raghuvanshi sprinted to attempt a catch, resulting in a heavy collision with teammate Varun Chakravarthy. While initially appearing to injure his finger, the heavy impact of the collision necessitated a head-injury evaluation by the KKR physiotherapist. Dahiya briefly entered the game as a substitute wicketkeeper before match officials formally approved him as the concussion substitute for the subsequent run chase.
The Rise of Tejasvi Singh Dahiya
Dahiya’s entry into the Indian Premier League follows a sharp upward trajectory in domestic cricket. The Delhi-born player went unsold during the IPL 2025 auction but transformed his market value within 12 months through aggressive scoring in the Delhi Premier League (DPL).
Entering the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Dahiya sparked a bidding war between KKR, the Mumbai Indians, and the Rajasthan Royals. The Kolkata franchise eventually secured his contract for a massive Rs 3 crore.
Delhi Premier League Performance Data
Dahiya earned his IPL contract by dominating the local circuit. His statistics reflect a high-strike-rate approach heavily valued by T20 franchises scouting the BCCI domestic system.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Runs | 339 |
| Batting Average | 48.43 |
| Strike Rate | 190.45 |
| Sixes Hit | 29 |
| Half-Centuries | 4 |
Player Background and Profile
Franchise scouts prioritize data, but Dahiya’s background provides context to his professional discipline. Raised in an academic household by parents who teach mathematics and economics, he maintained a calculated approach to his cricket career after the setback of going unsold in 2025.
- Role: Wicketkeeper-batter
- Age: 23
- Home State: Delhi
- IPL 2026 Franchise: Kolkata Knight Riders
- Auction Price: Rs 3 crore