MS Dhoni Made A Heartwarming Promise To Father Of GT’s Rs. 3.6 Cr Purchase: Robin Minz made history in the IPL, becoming the first tribal cricketer ever in the tournament. At just 21 years old, Minz sparked a bidding war between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. With a base price of INR 20 lakh, the intense competition between the two teams resulted in a substantial paycheque of INR 3.6 crore for Minz, a remarkable 18 times his base price.
Robin Minz Created History At IPL 2024 Auction
Robin Minz, despite not making his professional cricket debut, is a left-handed wicketkeeper better known for his powerful hitting. He plays in the middle order and gained attention after scoring an unbeaten 73 off 35 deliveries in an invitational T20 tournament in Odisha. Minz has represented Jharkhand U19 and U25 teams and attended a training camp with Mumbai Indians. His dedication to training, including overseas experience in England, made him a sought-after player in the IPL auction.
Minz underwent trials for multiple IPL teams, including Lucknow Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Although he didn’t make the cut in Delhi during the 2023 IPL auction, he remained determined. Minz, who considers MS Dhoni his idol, pursued cricket seriously after completing his 10th-standard exams. His father’s background in the army, now working in airport security in Jharkhand, adds a unique dimension to Minz’s journey.
Minz’s Father Revealed His Chat With MS Dhoni
Meanwhile, the life of Francis Xavier Minz, a 48-year-old retired Army man working as a security guard at Ranchi airport, took an unexpected turn on a regular Tuesday. While assisting passengers with their boarding passes, he learned that Gujarat Titans had picked his 21-year-old son Robin for a hefty Rs 3.60 crore at the IPL 2024 auction.
“A CISF jawan came to me, hugged me saying, ‘Arrey Francis sir, aap toh crorepati ban gaye’ (You have become a millionaire),” Francis tells The Indian Express.
Just like his son, Francis also had a passion for sports, particularly athletics, which played a role in securing him a position in the Army. Following his enlistment in the armed forces, the family relocated to Ranchi. It was in this city that Robin developed an interest in cricket, like many kids from the 2000s, with aspirations of emulating the local hero, MS Dhoni.
Father Francis also revealed how Dhoni had promised him that he would take Minz in his team if no one picked him at the auction. He revealed:
“I had met Dhoni at the airport recently. He told me Francisji koi nahi lega toh hum le lenge. (If no one picks him, we will),”
