Gujarat Titans successfully acquired the talents of Robin Minz, an emerging tribal cricketer from Jharkhand, during the IPL 2024 auction held in Dubai on Tuesday. Despite starting with a base price of Rs 20 lakh, the 21-year-old garnered considerable attention from multiple franchises, leading to a competitive bidding process that ultimately landed him a spot with the Gujarat Titans. Renowned for his powerful batting, Minz, a left-handed batter and an avid admirer of MS Dhoni, has been guided in his cricketing journey by the experienced coach Chanchal Bhattacharya, who also mentored the former Indian captain.
Originally from the Gumla district in Jharkhand, Minz gained prominence when the Mumbai Indians noticed him and facilitated his training in the United Kingdom. Currently residing in the Namkum area of Ranchi, Jharkhand’s capital, Minz, though yet to represent the state in the Ranji Trophy, has been part of Jharkhand’s U19 and U25 teams.
Minz, whose father is a retired army personnel now working as a guard at the Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, shares his home with his two sisters. Despite going unsold in the IPL 2023 auction, Minz underwent trials with various franchises, including the Lucknow Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders, securing a significant payday in this edition.
While he has not yet made his Ranji Trophy debut, Minz may mark his IPL debut in the upcoming season. The competition for a spot in the playing XI is anticipated between Minz and the seasoned Indian keeper Wriddhiman Saha.
Leading up to the bidding war in Dubai, Minz attracted attention during the mock auction, with former India cricketer Robin Uthappa likening him to the ‘left-handed Kieron Pollard.’ Such endorsements further enhance Minz’s profile as a promising player.
His inclusion in the Gujarat Titans squad reflects the franchise’s commitment to the long-term development of the Jharkhand cricketer, expressing confidence in his potential and belief in his ability to contribute to the team’s success.