Sandeep Warrier Stats, Debut, Age, Jersey No, Career, IPL Team, Price
Indian cricket has always been known for producing a variety of bowlers – from express pacers to skilled swing specialists. Among the new fast bowlers, Sandeep Warrier has established himself as a tenacious and skilled medium-fast bowler. Known for his accuracy, consistency, Warrier has represented both Kerala and Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket. He has also made a name for himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans.
His career is an inspiring story of resilience, discipline and perseverance. Warrier has made his mark with his domestic prowess, IPL performances and his eventual entry into the Indian national team in 2021.
Early Life And Personal Background
Sandeep Warrier was born on 4 April 1991 to Shankarkutty and Lakshmi in Thrissur, Kerala. He grew up in Mumbai, where he completed his early education and later returned to Kerala. Coming from a middle-class background, his journey in cricket was full of challenges. Interestingly, he was an engineering student, but decided to quit the game to pursue his passion for cricket full-time.
He has a sister, Sandhya, and he credits his family for constantly supporting his cricketing journey despite the dangers of the game.
In 2019, Sandeep married his long-time girlfriend Aarti Kasturi Raj. She is an accomplished international skater. Aarti has represented India in several skating championships. She also won a bronze medal in the women’s 3000m relay event at the 2022 Asian Games. The couple has often been in the news as one of the few sports pairings in India.
Domestic Career: Building a Reputation
Yoddha made his first-class debut for Kerala against Goa on 24 November 2012. From the start, he showed signs of being a workhorse bowler who could bowl long spells and gain pace with discipline. Over the years, he became one of Kerala’s most reliable fast bowlers in domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
His form continued in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy, where he was Kerala’s highest wicket-taker with 44 wickets in ten matches in the group stage. He was rewarded for his consistency in selection in the prestigious domestic tournament. In August 2019, he was named in the India Red team for the Duleep Trophy and later in the India A team for the Deodhar Trophy. These call-ups indicate that he is now being recognised as a serious fast-bowling option at the national level.
In 2021, Warrior took a big step by deciding to shift from Kerala to Tamil Nadu in search of new challenges and opportunities.
IPL Career
Warrior’s entry into the IPL came through Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he was seen as a backup option for the fast-bowling department. When he didn’t get opportunities for a long time, he trained with some of the best cricketers in the world. And learned the intricacies of bowling under pressure.
Later, he was picked up by Gujarat Titans (GT), one of the league’s new franchises. His IPL experience may not be well-known, but it allowed him to share the stage with world-class bowlers and sharpen his skills for the big stage.
Career Statistics
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 1 | 1 | 18 | 23 | 0 | – | – | – | 7.66 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 77 | 139 | 12909 | 6161 | 241 | 6/44 | 9/75 | 25.56 | 2.86 | 53.5 | 10 | 12 | 0 |
| List A | 80 | 78 | 3505 | 3104 | 102 | 4/20 | 4/20 | 30.43 | 5.31 | 34.3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 84 | 84 | 1687 | 2065 | 78 | 4/21 | 4/21 | 26.47 | 7.34 | 21.6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 77 | 87 | 39 | 181 | 38 | 3.77 | 783 | 23.11 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 23 | 0 |
| List A | 80 | 34 | 23 | 32 | 4* | 2.90 | 103 | 31.06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| T20s | 84 | 11 | 7 | 26 | 9* | 6.50 | 56 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
International Career
Warrior’s consistent domestic performances brought him closer to an India call-up. In January 2021, he was named as one of the five net bowlers in India’s Test squad for the series against England. While he failed to make it into the playing XI, the experience of bowling in the nets against some of India’s top batsmen was invaluable.
In June 2021, he was included as a net bowler again for Sri Lanka’s tour of India. However, fate had something more important in store for him. After a COVID-19 case in the Indian team setup, Warrior was added to the main Indian squad for the last two T20Is against Sri Lanka.
On 29 July 2021, Sandeep Warrior finally got his dream of representing India fulfilled. He made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka, becoming one of the few fast bowlers from Kerala to wear the Indian jersey. Although it was not a stellar debut, it was a monumental moment in his career, reflecting years of hard work and dedication.
Similar Post: Venkatesh Iyer Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career
Personal Life And Beyond Cricket
Apart from cricket, Sandeep Warrier is often in the news for his personal life. His marriage to Aarti Kasturi Raj has been widely celebrated, as Aarti is an accomplished sportsperson herself. The couple symbolizes the balance between two lives.
In May 2021, Warrier, along with his KKR teammate Varun Chakravarthy, tested positive for COVID-19. The incident led to the postponement of the match between KKR and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. Fortunately, both the players have fully recovered and are back in cricket.
Sandeep Warrier’s career is a story of perseverance. From being an engineering dropout to becoming a domestic legend. His journey inspires thousands of young cricketers who face obstacles to pursue the game. Although he is not a regular in the national setup, his role in domestic cricket and the IPL has been significant.
His age is still in his favour and his fitness level is impressive. Warrior is a valuable bowler for Tamil Nadu and a potential backup option for the Indian team in T20 cricket. His ability to swing the ball and maintain discipline makes him an asset in all formats.
FAQs: Questions & Answers
Q1. How did Sandeep Warrior start his cricketing career?
Sandeep Warrior started his domestic cricket career with Kerala, making his first-class debut against Goa in 2012. Initially, he was seen as a raw fast bowler with potential, but over the years, he has transformed into Kerala’s strike bowler.
Q2. When did Sandeep Warrior make his India debut?
Warrior made his India debut during the T20I series against Sri Lanka in July 2021. On 29 July 2021, he fulfilled his long-cherished dream of donning the Indian colours.
Q3. What is the biggest challenge Sandeep Warrier has faced in his cricketing journey?
Coming from a non-cricketing background in Thrissur, Kerala, he had limited experience of high-level facilities. He even dropped out of engineering studies to pursue his sport, cricket.
