Sikandar Raza IPL Stats, Price, Team, Salary & Career Records

Sikandar Raza’s is one of cricket’s great late-bloomer stories. The Zimbabwe all-rounder was 36 years old when he made his IPL debut, yet he played like a man a decade younger, winning matches with bat and ball for Punjab Kings. His journey from Sialkot to Harare to the world’s biggest T20 league is a tribute to perseverance, fitness, and sheer skill.

This article covers Sikandar Raza’s IPL stats, price, team history, salary, career records, and full profile.

Sikandar Raza Profile

Raza was born in Sialkot, Pakistan, and moved to Zimbabwe with his family, where he fell in love with cricket. He originally wanted to become a fighter pilot and even studied at the Pakistan Air Force College, but destiny had other plans. He chose cricket, qualified to play for Zimbabwe, and went on to become one of the country’s greatest ever all-rounders.

Sikandar Raza IPL Career and Team

Raza’s IPL breakthrough came at the 2023 auction, where Punjab Kings bought him for INR 50 lakh. At 36, he became one of the oldest debutants in league history and among the first Zimbabweans to play in the IPL. He made an instant impact, producing match-winning all-round performances in his debut season.

Punjab Kings retained him for the 2024 season, valuing his experience, his calm finishing with the bat, and his miserly off-spin. In a league obsessed with youth, Raza proved that class and cricket intelligence have no expiry date.

His most memorable IPL moments came in his debut season. Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he produced a superb all-round display, and his unbeaten finishing knocks in tense chases showed remarkable composure for a league debutant. Punjab’s think tank often turned to him when the game was on the line, a mark of the respect he earned in the dressing room within weeks of arriving.

Sikandar Raza IPL Stats

Raza’s IPL numbers show a player who contributed in every game he played, even if his opportunities were limited by team combinations.

The figures above are approximate and cover his IPL career through the 2024 season. His strike rate in the 2023 season was among the best for Punjab’s middle order, and his off-spin provided crucial balance. For a 50-lakh signing, his return was outstanding value.

Zimbabwe Career and World Cup Heroics

Long before the IPL came calling, Raza was already a Zimbabwe legend. He made his international debut in 2013 and went on to become the team’s most reliable all-rounder across formats, even captaining the side.

His finest hour came at the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, where he was one of the standout all-rounders of the entire tournament. Raza smashed 219 runs and took 10 wickets, producing Player of the Match performances that carried Zimbabwe into the Super 12s and earned him a place in the ICC’s Team of the Tournament. It was this campaign that finally convinced IPL franchises that he belonged on the biggest stage.

Sikandar Raza Price and Salary in IPL

Raza’s IPL price story is refreshingly simple compared to the crorepati auctions around him.

The INR 50 lakh bid in 2023 made him one of the bargains of the auction. While other franchises spent crores on unproven talent, Punjab Kings picked up a battle-hardened international all-rounder for the base price, and he outperformed many players who cost ten times more.

Career Records and Achievements

Raza’s record book is full of Zimbabwean milestones. He was named Zimbabwe’s Cricketer of the Year multiple times and has been the team’s highest-ranked all-rounder in ICC rankings across formats.

His 2022 was historic: he became the first Zimbabwe player to win an ICC Player of the Month award, and his T20 World Cup heroics made him a global name. In T20 internationals, he has been Zimbabwe’s most consistent match-winner for a decade, with multiple Player of the Series awards.

He has also been a sought-after player in T20 leagues worldwide, representing teams in the Pakistan Super League, the Bangladesh Premier League, and England’s domestic competitions. As one of Zimbabwe’s greatest overseas stars, he has carried his country’s flag proudly in every league he has played.

What Makes Sikandar Raza Special

Raza’s game is built on intelligence rather than raw power. He reads match situations superbly, rotates the strike against spin, and picks his moments to attack. His off-spin is deceptive and economical, and he is a brilliant fielder who leads by example.

What truly sets him apart is his fitness and hunger. Debuting in the IPL at 36 and outperforming younger players is no accident; it is the result of legendary work ethic. Young cricketers everywhere can learn from his journey that the charts for most runs in IPL history are not the only measure of a career, and that dedication can open doors at any age.

Conclusion

Sikandar Raza’s IPL chapter may have been brief, but it was memorable. From a 50-lakh punt to a retained match-winner, he showed that the league still has room for cricketers who earn everything the hard way. Zimbabwe’s greatest modern all-rounder left his mark on the IPL, and his story will inspire late bloomers for years to come. His legacy is proof that talent combined with relentless hard work can conquer any stage, no matter when the opportunity arrives. Few cricketers have squeezed as much out of their ability as Raza has.

Which IPL team does Sikandar Raza play for?

Sikandar Raza plays for Punjab Kings, who bought him for INR 50 lakh at the 2023 auction and retained him for 2024.

What is Sikandar Raza’s IPL price?

Sikandar Raza was bought by Punjab Kings for INR 50 lakh at the IPL 2023 auction.

When did Sikandar Raza make his IPL debut?

Sikandar Raza made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings in the 2023 season at the age of 36.

What is Sikandar Raza’s biggest career achievement?

His biggest achievement was his all-round heroics at the T20 World Cup 2022, where his 219 runs and 10 wickets made him one of the tournament’s standout players.

Is Sikandar Raza an all-rounder?

Yes. Sikandar Raza is a genuine all-rounder who bats right-handed in the middle order and bowls right-arm off-spin, and he has been Zimbabwe’s premier all-rounder for over a decade.