Mohammad Izhar: Bihar boy, built on craft, shaped by patience

Fast bowling is often spoken about in terms of pace. Mohammad Izhar’s game, however, has always been about thought. 😌

From Birpur, a small town in Bihar’s Supaul district, Izhar learnt early that control could be just as threatening as speed. Long before structured nets & scorecards, his cricket began with a tennis ball.

That foundation would shape the bowler he is today.

A local mentor, Jaichand, was among the first to notice Izhar’s natural feel for the game. What stood out wasn’t just his ability to unsettle batters, but his awareness. 👏

When to push the length, when to pull it back, when to vary pace. Under Jaichand’s guidance, Izhar transitioned to leather-ball cricket, a step that sharpened both his skills and his understanding of the sport.

With practice, Izhar developed the habit of thinking a step ahead, using hard lengths early and subtle variations. A left-arm seamer with an attacking edge, he learnt to let patience do the work.

That composure came to the fore at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. In five games, the 21-year-old picked up nine wickets at an average of 15.55, while maintaining an economy of 7.11. These figures reflected a bowler who’s comfortable adjusting to different match situations. 🔥

More than the numbers, it was the temperament that stood out. Calm in approach, clear in execution, Izhar showed a hunger to make an impact.

As we look ahead to IPL 2026, Mohd. Izhar adds depth to our bowling unit with his skill and adaptability. All in all, the southpaw will only get better with each passing day alongside the seasoned campaigners like BOOM and Boulty.

The big stage now awaits! And Izhar is ready to test himself against it. 👊