Robin Minz, a promising tribal cricketer from Jharkhand who grabbed headlines at the IPL 2024 auction, has met with an accident, his father said on Sunday. The 21-year-old was bought by the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans, former champion of the IPL, for a whopping Rs 3.60 crore. According to a report, the youngster, who is known for his big-hitting abilities, was riding a Kawasaki superbike when he made contact with another bike and lost control. News18 talked to his father Francis Minz, who confirmed the news. “He lost control when his bike came in contact with another bike. Nothing serious at the moment and he is currently under observation,” says Francis.
According to the report, the front half of the bike was severely damaged due to the accident. The left-handed batter suffered bruises on his right knee.
Known for his big-hitting abilities, Minz is a left-handed batter and a devoted fan of MS Dhoni. His cricketing journey is guided by the experienced coach Chanchal Bhattacharya, who also mentored the former Indian captain.
Originally hailing from the Gumla district in Jharkhand, Minz came into the spotlight when noticed by the Mumbai Indians, who facilitated his training in the United Kingdom.
Presently residing in the Namkum area of Ranchi, Jharkhand's capital, Minz, despite not yet representing the state in the Ranji Trophy, has been part of Jharkhand's U19 and U25 teams.
His father, a retired army personnel, now works as a guard at the Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, and Minz shares his home with his two sisters.
In addition to Mumbai Indians, Minz underwent trials with various franchises, including Lucknow Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite going unsold in the IPL 2023 auction, Minz secured a significant payday in this edition.
He might make his IPL debut in the upcoming season. The competition for a spot in the playing XI will likely involve Minz and the experienced Indian keeper Wriddhiman Saha.
In the lead-up to the bidding war in Dubai, Minz garnered attention during the mock auction, with former India cricketer Robin Uthappa describing him as the 'left-handed Kieron Pollard.'