Salman Nizar's Journey to the Top

A Breakthrough Season for the 27-Year-Old

Salman Nizar's historic Ranji Trophy campaign will be remembered for his bravery and courage, which earned him the nickname 'Bakka Valore' from his teammates. The 27-year-old was part of several pivotal moments this season, including a dramatic 81-run last-wicket stand with Basil Thampi against Jammu & Kashmir.

A Turning Point in His Career

Nizar credits his head coach, Amay Khurasiya, for showing him a video of a 10th-wicket 107-run partnership between Michael Hussey and Glenn McGrath in the 2005 Boxing Day Test. The coach's words of encouragement helped Nizar and Thampi stage an incredible comeback, securing Kerala's passage to the next round.

A Season of Growth and Learning

Nizar's breakthrough season saw him score 628 runs with two centuries, making him the second-highest scorer for Kerala behind his long-time friend Mohammed Azharuddeen. He had previously struggled to take off at the first-class level, but this season marked a turning point in his career.

A Player of Tremendous Self-Belief

Khurasiya describes Nizar as an individual of tremendous self-belief, a work-horse, and a genuine team-man. The coach believes that Nizar has the potential to become one of the highest run-getters in the future.

A Leader in the Making

Nizar captained the Kerala senior team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time, and Khurasiya provided guidance from the sidelines. The coach's faith in Nizar was evident, and the former believes that a coach should stand with his cricketers, not above them.

A Bright Future Ahead

Nizar's recent domestic season has been a testament to his growth as a player. He scored 169 runs at a strike rate of 164 and a highest-score of 99* against eventual champions Mumbai. With aspirations of finishing games for India, Nizar sees this season as just the beginning of his journey towards bigger goals.

Quotes from the Coach and the Player

• "I think in 1-2 years, you'll see Nizar playing at the highest level" – Amay Khurasiya, Kerala's head coach
• "I want to win matches for my country. That's the ultimate goal and the ultimate dream for me. Hopefully I will make it to the bigger stage." – Salman Nizar