নিখিল নায়েক

A handy wicket-keeper batsman, Nikhil Naik can be a feisty batsman at times and has been an integral part of Maharashtra, ever since making his first-class debut, during the 2018-19 Indian domestic season. he had a taste of cricket at the highest level before though, having been part of the lucrative Indian Premier League.

IPL through the years

Hailing from Maharashtra, Nikhil Naik, has been a fringe part of the Indian Premier League, having been signed up by Kings XI Punjab, for a price of rupees thirty lakhs, ahead of the 2016 edition of the tournament. He had a solid if not underwhelming debut, making a 28-ball 22 in his debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Playing as a wicket-keeper batsman, Naik's solidity behind the stumps and his ability to hit big meant he was always a good bet.

The right-handed batsman was bought by the Knight Riders at a base price of rupees Twenty lakhs during the 2019 auctions and prepared for the big tournament by smashing a 58-ball unbeaten 95 against Railways in the preceding Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.