Rising cricket star Sahil Ulhas Parakh from Nashik has been making waves, recently earning a spot in Maharashtra’s Under‑23 squad for the C.K. Nayudu Trophy and secured his place in the IPL 2026 auction pool at his base price of ₹30 lakh during the auction in Abu Dhabi.
He came to the eye of the IPL auction because of his impressive 109 runs off 75 balls against Australia U19 in Puducherry on September 23, 2024*. He became the first cricketer from Nashik to hit a youth international century for India.
This biography of Sahil Parakh tells the story of his path from practicing at a local academy in Nashik to shining for India U19 and earning an IPL spot with the Delhi Capitals.
Early Life and Childhood in Nashik: Foundations of the Sahil Parakh Biography
Sahil Parakh, born on June 7, 2007, in Nashik, Maharashtra, is a left-handed batsman and leg-spin bowler. Sahil Parakh’s parents are Ulhas Parakh and Snehal Parakh, both integral to his cricketing journey from Nashik.
Ulhas Parakh is Sahil’s primary mentor and coach. He introduced Sahil to cricket through backyard practice sessions and accompanying him to local matches. Known for his disciplined approach, Ulhas has been recognized by institutions like the Nashik Cricket Academy for his dedication while ensuring Sahil’s academics were not neglected.
From age five, he played on neighborhood streets, where the bat’s crack became a daily soundtrack, revealing his natural left-handed batting flair. His parents spotted his talent early and enrolled him in Nashik Cricket Academy located at Parijat Nagar. At first, the coaches thought he was too young to train. But with his determination and the backing of his family, he earned a spot to begin formal coaching.
Snehal Parakh manages family logistics, tournament travel, and Sahil’s well-being during intensive schedules such as U‑19 camps. She is acknowledged locally as the “unsung hero” behind Sahil’s rise, providing stability and support throughout his cricketing journey.
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Junior Cricket and Domestic Beginnings
Under the guidance of academy coach Shantanu Matse, the left-handed opener picked up the fundamentals of cricket technique, discipline, and match preparation, which later shaped his playing style. While working on his cricket skills, Parakh also attended Wisdom High International School in Nashik.
He averages 48.52, strikes at 127.56, and has hit 36 centuries. These numbers show why many consider him one of Maharashtra’s top youth batters in local cricket.
His strong performances secured him a spot with Eagle Nashik Titans in the Maharashtra Premier League. In the 2025 season of MPL, the left-handed opener knocked 202 runs at a striking rate of 177.19, hitting 20 fours.
He played a major part in Eagle Nashik Titans’ championship victory and was named the Emerging Player of the Season. The franchise and media noticed his bold stroke-play and ability to handle both pace and spin, calling him a promising talent for higher cricket levels.
The school highlighted him in its magazines and social media for being the first “Wisdomite” and the first player from Nashik to represent India U19. They praised how he managed to juggle his studies with traveling for national matches. After his India U19 selection and scoring a century against Australia, he returned to the school to talk to younger students, as noted in the school’s congratulatory messages.
India U19 Career: Debut Against Australia U19 (September 2024)
Parakh’s major international youth breakthrough came with selection for the India U19 vs Australia U19 three-match Youth ODI series in Puducherry in September 2024. He opened the batting through the series at the Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Ground, facing one of the strongest youth attacks in world cricket.
Across the three games, the left-handed opener scored 4, 109 and 20*, finishing the series with 133 runs in three innings and a strike rate above 125, underlining his ability to dominate quality opposition. His aggressive approach at the top gave India fast starts and helped the hosts seal the series 2–0 with one match to spare.
The Iconic Century (109 vs Australia U19)
The defining innings of his youth career so far came on September 23, 2024, again at the Siechem Ground in Puducherry. Chasing 177, the Nashik youngster produced a breathtaking 109 off 75 balls*, hitting 14 fours and 5 sixes at a strike rate of 145.33.
India U19 won that second Youth ODI by nine wickets with 28 overs remaining, as Parakh and wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu dismantled the Australian attack. Video from the match shows the left-handed opener driving and pulling with authority, repeatedly taking the aerial route against spin and pace alike.
At the post-match presentation, he received the Player of the Match award from former West Indies captain and then Australia U19 coach Carl Hooper, adding extra prestige to the performance. School and academy tributes later described him as the first Nashik-born cricketer to score an international U19 century for India, a landmark moment for the city’s cricketing community.
Leadership Role for Maharashtra U19
At the state level, the talented all-rounder became central to Maharashtra U19 plans. Media coverage and official announcements confirm that he was appointed captain of the Maharashtra Under-19 team for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, with Eagle Nashik Titans proudly publicising his leadership role.
His stats at the U19 level for India show his strong all-around ability. He scored 685 runs with a batting average of 57.08, including one century and five half-centuries, and took 25 wickets with his best performance being 5 for 30. This combination of run-scoring, leg-spin and leadership has made him one of the most talked‑about names in India’s U19 structure.
Senior Domestic Cricket Debut
Let’s have a look at Sahil Ulhas Parakh’s senior cricket journey:
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
The transition from youth to senior cricket came quickly. In late 2025, Parakh made his senior T20 debut for Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). A Rediff IPL preview specifically noted that he had just debuted in SMAT, while Maharashtra Cricket and his own social media celebrated the occasion, showing him receiving his maiden state cap from Harshad Khadiwale.
Scorecards from the 2025–26 SMAT Elite Group B confirm two early appearances: 18 off 14 balls vs Uttar Pradesh and 6 off 7 vs Goa, giving him 24 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 114.29 in senior domestic T20S so far. Although still at a very early stage, those outings marked a key step in his progression from junior to senior-level competition.
CK Nayudu Trophy Selection
Building on his U19 captaincy and SMAT debut, the youngster earned selection for the Maharashtra Under-23 side in the BCCI’s Col. C. K. Nayudu Trophy (four-day format). A January 2026 report from Nashik described him as an “international youth cricketer” selected for Maharashtra U23 (Elite Group), noting that he continued to captain Maharashtra U19 in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy even as he moved into longer-format cricket at the U23 level.
This dual role – youth captain and U23 squad member – reflects the trust Maharashtra’s selectors place in his temperament and adaptability across formats.
IPL Journey: Delhi Capitals 2026
Parakh’s IPL 2026 auction story completed his rise from academy prodigy to national-level prospect. Included in the TATA IPL 2026 player auction list for the mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, he entered with a base price of ₹30 lakh.
On December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, Delhi Capitals secured him at his base price of ₹30 lakh, as confirmed by the IPL’s official channels, auction databases. He joined the franchise as an uncapped Indian top-order batter, one of the youngest Indian cricketers in the 2026 IPL pool at 18 years and 198 days.
What Sahil Ulhas Parakh Brings to the Delhi Capitals?
Experts see the left-handed opener as a promising top-order batter who can challenge bowlers right from the first ball. He excels in the power play, applying pressure. His century against Australia U19 and strong strike rates across domestic and U19 matches show he handles fast scoring well, even against skilled bowling.
Apart from batting, he can bowl part-time leg-spin and field, skills that state and franchise reports often praise. His role as Maharashtra U19 captain in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy points to his potential to lead in the future. This fits well with the Delhi Capitals‘ clear focus on developing young Indian players for the long run. The team aims to guide him as a versatile top-order player who can develop alongside their star players.
Style and Key Abilities
Parakh combines modern-day aggression with solid basics in his cricketing style:
- Batting: He bats left-handed and opens the innings with an attacking game. His shots stand out on the square of the wicket. He often plays lofted drives, pull shots, and sweeps to put bowlers under pressure and take on spinners.
- Bowling: He bowls leg-breaks with variations and serves as a part-time bowler in youth cricket and local matches. In these competitions, he has claimed 340 wickets across 212 games, with an economy rate of 3.71 in documented local tournaments.
- Fielding: Observers from youth games and the MPL describe him as an active and dependable fielder. His catching and ground skills have caught the attention of scouts.
- Temperament: His performances, including the 109 against Australia U19* and steady scoring while handling captaincy, show a composed and driven nature with a solid attitude to win matches.
Key Statistics
Youth ODI (YODI) – India U19
- Matches: 3
- Innings: 3
- Not Out: 1
- Runs: 133
- Highest Score: 109*
- Average: 66.50
- Strike Rate: 126.66
- Centuries: 1
- Fifties: 0
- Fours: 19
- Sixes: 5
T20 Domestic (Senior – Maharashtra)
- Matches: 2
- Innings: 2
- Runs: 24
- Highest Score: 18
- Average: 12.00
- Strike Rate: 114.28
- 4s: 4
- 6s: 0
Teams Represented
- India Under-19
- Maharashtra (Senior T20)
- Maharashtra Under-19 (Captain – Vinoo Mankad Trophy)
- Maharashtra Under-23 (C. K. Nayudu Trophy)
- Eagle Nashik Titans (Maharashtra Premier League)
- Delhi Capitals (IPL 2026)
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FAQs
- Who is Sahil Parakh?
Sahil Ulhas Parakh, an 18-year-old from Nashik Maharashtra, is a left-handed opening batsman and a leg-break bowler. Born on June 7, 2007, he represented India U19 and Maharashtra in cricket. In the IPL 2026 auction, Delhi Capitals bought him for ₹30 lakh. - What is Sahil Parakh best known for?
One of his best moments was on September 23, 2024, in Puducherry when he scored 109 runs off 75 balls while playing against Australia U19. He smashed 14 fours and 5 sixes ending with an impressive strike rate of 145.33. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and led India U19 to a comfortable 9-wicket win. - Where did Sahil Parakh learn cricket?
Sahil learned cricket at the Nashik Cricket Academy when he was five. He attended Wisdom High International School in Nashik. He played in local leagues and also for Eagle Nashik Titans in the Maharashtra Premier League. - How much did Delhi Capitals spend on Sahil Parakh in IPL 2026?
In the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi held on December 15 and 16, 2025, Delhi Capitals picked him for his base price of ₹30 lakh. - What record does Sahil Parakh have with India U19?
In three Youth ODIs, he made 133 runs averaging 66.50. His batting includes one century (109*), two half-centuries, 19 boundaries, and 5 sixes. With the ball, he picked up 25 wickets at an average of 18.40 achieving his best performance with figures of 5/30.
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