IPL 2026: Who is Danish Malewar? MI’s 21-year-old debutant set for big stage vs GT

A new name has entered the spotlight for Mumbai Indians as 21-year-old Danish Malewar made his IPL debut against Gujarat Titans in the 2026 season clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Born on October 8, 2003, in Nagpur, Malewar is a right-handed top-order batter who also bowls right-arm leg-spin. He has been steadily building a reputation in domestic cricket, particularly for his consistency in the longer format and his aggressive intent in white-ball cricket. His rise earned him an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians, who secured him at his base price of INR 30 lakh.

Malewar’s cricketing journey began early at the City Gymkhana Academy under coaches Swaroopraj Shrivastava and Nitin Gawande. Joining at just seven years old, he quickly progressed through the ranks and was representing Vidarbha at the Under-14 level by the age of 12.

His breakthrough came in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, where he played a key role in Vidarbha’s title-winning campaign. Malewar amassed 783 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 52, including two centuries and six fifties, finishing as the team’s third-highest run-getter.

He has also shown his prowess in the shortest format. In the Vidarbha T20 League, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer, piling up 318 runs at an average of 79.5 and a strike rate of 161.42, underlining his ability to shift gears.

Malewar’s debut comes at a crucial time for Mumbai Indians, who are struggling in IPL 2026 with four consecutive losses after their opening win and currently sit near the bottom of the table. With senior players under pressure, the franchise has turned to fresh talent in search of a turnaround.

Facing a confident Gujarat Titans side led by Shubman Gill, who opted to bowl first after winning the toss, Malewar now has an early opportunity to showcase his potential on one of the biggest stages in franchise cricket.