PANAJI
The 18th edition of the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) will commence in Kolkata from 22 March 2025. But, this time around there won’t be any cricketer from Goa playing in this most sought-after franchise-based league.
After all, Goa's prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket Suyash Prabhudessai, who was Goa’s lone representative at IPL during last four years, went unsold in the Mega IPL Auction 2025 held at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in November last year. Prabhudessai had registered himself for the IPL 2025 mega auction at a base price of Rs. 30 lakh.
Infact, Suyash had been part of IPL since 2021, playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). During IPL 2021 Player Auction, he was picked by RCB at a base price for Rs. 20 lakh, but did not get to play any IPL match.
However, he made his IPL debut in the subsequent edition i.e. 2022 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and played in three IPL seasons - 2022, 2023 and 2024 - for the same franchise.
In his first season, the right-handed batsman played 5 games and scored 67 runs. He played 5 games once again in 2023 and scored 35 runs. In IPL 2024, Prabhudessai could play only one game and scored 24 runs. Thus, in 11 IPL matches, Suyash has scored 126 runs at an average of 12.6 with his highest score being 34.
Long before Suyash had made his IPL debut, Swapnil Asnodkar was the first Goan cricketer to play in IPL.
The diminutive hard hitting right-handed opening batsman made his IPL debut during inaugural edition in 2008.
Asnodkar, who is Goa’s highest run getter in domestic cricket, formed the highest opening partnership during that tournament in 2008 along with South Africa’s Graeme Smith for the Rajasthan Royals. Together they scored 418 runs at an average of 59.71 in that edition.
Swapnil caught the nation's attention with his attacking knocks at the top of the order at a time when Indian players were learning how to play T20 format. His fearless batting style was compared to that of Sri Lankan Romesh Kaluwitharana and won the praise of his captain Shane Warne. Infact, Asnodkar played a key role in his side Rajasthan Royals' win in the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008.
Swapnil also participated in the 2009 IPL for Rajasthan Royals but could not make any significant impact
After Swapnil Asnodkar, Shadab Jakati was the next Goan cricketer to play in IPL.
The slow left arm orthodox spinner made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2009. During that tournament in 2009 held in South Africa, Jakati claimed 13 wickets including two four-wicket haul in back-to-back games, a remarkable achievement in T20 cricket, to announce himself on the big stage.
Infact, Jakati is the only player from Goa who has played for three franchises - Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Lions in the IPL.
Shadab was also a key figure in Chennai Super Kings' winning campaign in 2010 and 2011 editions of IPL wherein he took 13 and 10 wickets respectively. Later, Jakati was picked up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2014 and Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017.
Apart from Swapnil Asnodkar, Shadab Jakati and Suyash Prabhudessai; Aditya Angle (Rajasthan Royals 2008) and Saurabh Bandekar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru 2009) also landed an IPL contract. But, they did not get a chance to play any IPL match.
