Lucknow, Aug. 11 -- Vishal Nishad's rise from Gorakhpur's dusty nets to an IPL contract is the sort of story that keeps talent scouts awake at night. The 22-year-old mystery spinner first caught attention in local circuits due to an unorthodox action and the ability to make batters misread flight and turn.

With four wickets in the second season of the UPT20 League and five wickets in last year's edition, Nishad is ready to deliver for Gorakhpur Lions this time and aims to attract IPL scouts this season. The fourth edition of the UPT20 League begins here on Friday.

"I want to make this year's UPT20L a big season for me as I know that a good season in the IPL next season can open Team India's doors for me in future," Nishad said on Monday...