Son of Air Force officer uses Instagram reels to storm into IPL auction: 'CSK called, PBKS invited me'

Izaz Sawariya, a 20-year-old legspinner, found an unconventional route to the IPL 2026 auction, landing himself on the final list. His journey began with Instagram reels, a practice that started after he noticed England's Adil Rashid responding to his posts.

Sawariya's name is listed at No. 265 among uncapped spinners for the auction in Abu Dhabi. What makes this unusual is that he hasn't played for any state side, age-group team, or recognized league. Instead, short videos filmed after practice and uploaded online paved his way to the IPL.

Growing up in Bidar, North Karnataka, Sawariya's life was marked by frequent moves due to his father's career in the Indian Air Force. His father is currently stationed in Gorakhpur with the 27th Squadron (Jaguar). Sawariya joined Vijay Cricket Club in 2017, initially as a fast bowler. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. coaches suggested he switch to legspin, a decision that would later define him.

Despite his efforts, opportunities were limited. He didn't make it into Karnataka's Under-15 team and eventually decided to leave after the pandemic. "I felt it would be very tough to break through there," he explained. In 2022, he moved to Jaipur, returning to his family's roots in Rajasthan, hoping for a fresh start.

That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. Jaipur presented its own challenges. Living in a paying-guest accommodation, Sawariya trained at the Sanskar Cricket Academy under Surendra Singh Rathore, who had previously coached Kamlesh Nagarkoti. "The first two years were very hard," he said. Despite being part of the district setup, he didn't get many chances to play.

Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, Sawariya turned to Instagram almost by chance. "I thought of posting my reels," he said. After each practice session, he would record his bowling – a standard legbreak, a quicker delivery, and occasional variations – and upload it. "One reel after practice, almost daily. That became my routine."

Initially, the reels received little attention. But then, Adil Rashid took notice. "He started commenting on my reels," Sawariya said. "That's when I felt I really had something." Rashid's encouragement, through brief messages, boosted Sawariya's confidence.

The momentum grew from there. Views increased, followers surged, and prominent figures in cricket began to notice him. Sunil Joshi, then the bowling coach for Punjab Kings, reached out. Soon after, Chennai Super Kings contacted him. "We spoke a couple of times. A scout called me," Sawariya said.

Punjab Kings followed up with trials in Lucknow. "I impressed them, they liked me," he said. The paperwork was completed, and his name was added to the IPL auction register – a journey that began with a phone camera rather than a traditional cricket pathway.

Sawariya acknowledges the unusual nature of his journey. "No one has gone like this before," he said. "I think I might be the first player to go from social media to the IPL auction." He's noticed other aspiring cricketers now copying his approach online, which he views with pride. "It feels good that I've started a trend."

Throughout his journey, Sawariya has received unwavering support from his family. He credits his father and elder sister for their financial support and his coach for helping him refine his skills. "Surendra Singh Rathore sir has helped me a lot with my technique, my legspin, my variations," he said.

As a Rajasthan native, Sawariya admires Ravi Bishnoi and has a soft spot for Chennai Super Kings and MS Dhoni. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. his goals remain grounded. He maintains a structured routine of early-morning practice, gym sessions, and repetition. His dream is simple: "I just want to build a house for my parents with my own money," he said.