- Net bowlers shape IPL stars behind the scenes.
- Daily allowances small, exposure opportunities priceless.
- Young bowlers mimic world-class stars in practice.
Indian Premier League players practice their towering sixes, audacious scoops, and last-over carnage far from the television spotlight, under the watchful eye of an invisible workforce – the net bowlers.
In one of cricket’s most lucrative leagues, young pacers and spinners spend weeks throwing deliveries in practice nets and serving as vital sparring partners while franchise superstars command crores of money.
Bowling relentlessly to the biggest names in cricket and frequently being asked to mimic Mitchell Starc’s left-arm thunderbolts, Sunil Narine’s mystery spin, or Jasprit Bumrah’s yorkers for daily allowances that are meager by IPL standards but invaluable as a career is, for many, the most unusual apprenticeship in the sport.
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IPL Net Bowlers Earn Little But Chase Big Dreams
Instead of lugging refreshments and extra balls, their main desire is to wear a franchise jersey. In addition to the local bowlers organised by host state organisations and clubs at various locations, IPL teams often carry three to five specialised net bowlers. By IPL standards, they often make between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 a day working in the nets, but the exposure is invaluable.
“For me, bowling in the nets has never been about money. It is the rare opportunity to bowl to such great batsmen and to gain experience. That is the biggest incentive, and that is what matters,” says pacer J V Karthik, a net bowler from Karnataka.
For many of them, the true reward lies elsewhere: discussing the game with a senior Indian player, receiving technical advice from a renowned bowling instructor, or competing against top batters. In addition, the IPL can change things overnight.
From IPL nets To India
One notable example is the lanky Gurnoor Brar, who recently played for India in the one-time Test match against Afghanistan. Initially called up to the Punjab Kings nets, he was eventually recruited by the team after then-captain Shikhar Dhawan was impressed by the bounce his 6-foot-5 frame produced.
After playing one game for PBKS, he became a regular net bowler for Team India for the next year when word got out. Another pacer from India, Harshit Rana, began his career as a net bowler before making his way into the national squad.
The backstory of Chetan Sakariya is comparable. The left-arm pacer worked as a net bowler for teams like the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals before joining the India national team, discreetly attempting to get coaches’ and scouts’ notice.
“I was trialled at nets of both MI and RR. But it was an amazing moment for me when Royals picked me up in the auction,” Sakariya recalled about the 2021 IPL auction where Rajasthan signed him for Rs 1.2 crore. I never expected that. I was a bit nervous too because the Royals is a big team with a lot of big stars. I was in awe to see the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and David Miller,” he said.
“The happiest moment was when they handed me the debut cap in their first match of the season against Punjab Kings and fortunately I performed well,” Sakariya said, recalling his memorable debut spell of 3/31.
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IPL Net Bowlers Chase Dreams Behind The Scenes
Throughout the season, most net bowlers do not travel with teams. Every time the event shifts cities, franchises usually rely on local bowlers established by state groups. Net bowlers occasionally travel with the team and get closer to a potential breakthrough only in extraordinary circumstances, particularly when injury worries arise in the main group.
For young bowlers, moments like these are treasured possessions, a reminder that obscurity and recognition may not be so far apart. Although the cameras ignore them, they continue to observe closely how international stars train, recover, analyse conditions, and prepare mentally. The IPL becomes a true classroom for many as they learn those important lessons.
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