Mumbai Indians introduced a fresh face to IPL fans on Monday as 21-year-old Danish Malevar took the field against Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Scoring a quick 2 runs on debut, Malevar’s entry marks the start of an exciting chapter in his career.
Hailing from Nagpur and born on October 8, 2003, this right-handed opener doubles as a leg-spinner. Mumbai secured his services for 30 lakhs at the auction, impressed by his reliability in first-class cricket and flair in limited-overs games.
His cricketing roots trace back to City Gymkhana Academy, where coaches Swaroopraj Shrivastava and Nitin Gavande nurtured his talent from age 7. Malevar’s work ethic shone early; at 12, he was a mainstay in Vidarbha Under-14s.
A standout story from his youth: after a late-night return from a tour, he played in an Under-14 final hours later and notched a hundred. Such dedication helped him cement his spot in Vidarbha’s senior setup.
Malevar’s breakout came in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, where he was instrumental in Vidarbha’s championship win. Batting at an average of 52 in 9 games, he scored 783 runs with 2 tons and 6 fifties, ranking third in team runs.
What sets him apart is his calm demeanor at the crease. He thrives on playing long knocks, facing over 100 balls in more than half his innings, mastering the early overs with poise.
Emulating Sachin Tendulkar and KL Rahul, Malevar aims to master every shot in the book. While his IPL bow was humble, his domestic heroics suggest he’s built for the spotlight. Watch this space as MI’s young gun gears up for bigger battles.
