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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer Sakib Hussain opened up on his emotional rise from humble beginnings after enjoying a breakthrough Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
The young Bihar fast bowler revealed how difficult life was during his early cricketing days and recalled a time when he could not even afford proper cricket shoes.
Sakib, who emerged as one of SRH’s exciting uncapped bowling prospects this season, shared how his journey from tennis-ball cricket in Bihar to the IPL was filled with struggles, sacrifices and determination.
Hussain recalls difficult childhood & emotional sacrifice by mother
Speaking about his early cricketing struggles, Sakib Hussain admitted that there was a time when even owning a proper pair of shoes felt impossible.
"There was a time I did not have any shoes,” Sakib said. I couldn't even think about owning a pair of shoes that expensive. How could I wear shoes that cost Rs 12,000-15,000?" he added while speaking about the cricket shoes gifted to him by SRH teammate Ishan Kishan.
Sakib revealed that he used to play tennis-ball cricket in and around his hometown, Gopalganj in Bihar, and earned small match fees to support himself and his family.
He and his elder brother would wake up before sunrise to train while also helping their father in farming after he developed knee-related issues.
"The shoes bought off the roadside for Rs 200-300 wore out soon. The sole would tear. Without spikes, my foot kept slipping and my ankles got sprained many times," Sakib recalled.
The SRH pacer then narrated an emotional incident involving his mother, who sold her jewellery to help him continue playing cricket.
"Mummy, joota chahiye. Bina joote ke, bowling nahin ho payega hum se [Mom, I need shoes, without shoes I can't bowl]," Sakib remembered telling his mother.
His mother eventually sold jewellery she had received during her marriage and gave him money to buy proper cricket shoes.
"That is how my journey started," Sakib said emotionally.
Sakib Hussain’s rise from Bihar tennis-ball cricket to IPL breakthrough
Hussain admitted that he initially did not believe he could make it to professional cricket.
However, constant criticism from people around him motivated him to prove everyone wrong.
"Tumhari tarah lakhon player hain, tum kuch bhi kar lo tum nahin khel paayega [There are millions like you; whatever you do, you can't play on a professional level]," Sakib recalled hearing from people around him.
Instead of responding with words, the young pacer decided to answer through performances on the field.
His talent was eventually spotted by the local district cricket association in Bihar, while coach Robin Singh also played a major role in supporting his development.
Strong performances in the Bihar Cricket League and age-group cricket helped Sakib move closer towards professional cricket.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) first picked him during IPL 2024, although he did not get an opportunity to play before being released.
SRH later invested in him as part of their strategy to groom young uncapped Indian fast bowlers.
The IPL 2026 season turned out to be Sakib Hussain’s breakthrough campaign as he impressed with his pace, athleticism, and ability to trouble batters consistently.
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