Vishal Nishad's Inspiring IPL Journey: From Borrowed Gear to ₹30 Lakh Punjab Kings Deal

• Leg-spinner Vishal Nishad secured a ₹30 lakh IPL contract with Punjab Kings in the 2026 mini-auction, a life-changing moment.
• Hailing from a small Gorakhpur village, he overcame severe financial hardship, initially unable to afford basic cricket gear.
• His journey was supported by friend Vineet Pandey and coach Kalyan Singh, who waived academy fees due to his family's struggles.
• Nishad borrowed money for travel to Uttar Pradesh T20 League trials, where his "mystery action" and unpredictability caught the eye of Punjab Kings scouts like Ankit Rajpoot and Trevor Gonsalves.
• The IPL deal allows him to support his daily-wage labourer father and family, marking a significant rise from humble beginnings.

Why It Matters: Vishal Nishad's journey from poverty to an IPL contract highlights perseverance and talent.