04 Salil Arora

The latest sensation in the Indian domestic circuit, Salil Arora (born November 7, 2002) is a dynamic right-handed wicketkeeper-batter representing Punjab. Known for his aggressive intent and high strike rates, Arora has rapidly transitioned from a promising U19 talent to one of the most sought-after finishers in the country.

As of January 20, 2026, Salil Arora is the talk of the town after a blockbuster Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) campaign and a life-changing IPL 2026 auction. He is currently preparing for Punjab’s upcoming Ranji Trophy clash against Saurashtra on January 22.

Salil Arora: Career Highlights & 2025–26 Breakthrough

The 45-Ball Masterclass (SMAT 2025)

Salil Arora etched his name into the record books on December 12, 2025, during a SMAT group-stage match against Jharkhand. Coming in at a precarious 62/3, he smashed a breathtaking 125 off just 45 balls, reaching his century in a mere 39 deliveries. His innings, which featured 11 sixes, helped Punjab post a massive total and was heralded as one of the best domestic T20 knocks of the decade.

IPL 2026: The Sunrisers’ New Finisher

Following his SMAT heroics, Arora was the subject of a fierce bidding war in the December 2025 IPL auction. The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) eventually secured his services for ₹1.40 Crore, viewing him as the ideal domestic wicketkeeping option to complement their explosive overseas core of Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head.

All-Format Consistency

Beyond T20s, Arora has shown remarkable maturity in longer formats. He played a pivotal role in Punjab’s journey to the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to Saurashtra on January 16, 2026. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate at will has made him a certain starter in Punjab’s star-studded XI.

Salil Arora: Career Statistics

Data consolidated as of January 20, 2026.

T20 Performance (Domestic + SMAT)

Recent List A Form (VHT 2025/26)

• 2nd Semi-Final vs Saurashtra: 25 (31 balls)

• Quarter-Final vs MP: 44 (40 balls)

• vs Uttarakhand: 65 (84 balls)