When the Indian Premier League started in 2008, one of its major purpose was to provide a platform for the budding youngsters to make a case for them against international stars in front of huge crowds. After 12 seasons, we can say, the purpose has so far been fulfilled with great success. Many Indian stars like R Ashwin, R Jadeja, J Bumrah, U Yadav, H Pandya, etc have been fast-tracked into the Indian side on the basis of their IPL performances. Going into the thirteenth season, a lot of youngsters are waiting for their chances to make an impact and stake a claim for a spot in the national side. Here we look at one uncapped player to look out for from each of the eight teams:
Mumbai Indians – Suryakumar Yadav
Knocking the doors of the selectors for quite a long time, the Mumbai batsman is one of the best T20 players in the domestic circuit right now. Having played a couple of seasons for Mumbai Indians, Yadav has been one of their most consistent performers in the last two years. Having the ability to play improvised shots along with his power game and proper technique makes him someone who can bat anywhere in the top seven.
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Having the experience of playing at different positions plus the ability to adapt to situations, Suryakumar is one of the batting mainstays for the defending champions, despite the presence of numerous international stars. Going into the tournament with great form and with two consecutive seasons with 400-plus runs, the Mumbai-based batsman will be expected to make a statement yet again and finally stake a claim for a spot in the national side.
Rajasthan Royals – Riyan Parag
Teenage sensation from Assam, Riyan Parag bagged an IPL contract in 2019 for Rajasthan Royals. The 18-year old Parag was also a part of India’s successful campaign in the 2018 U-19 World Cup. Having played just 7 games in the IPL so far, the all-rounder has shown immense potential and more than that, the temperament required to succeed at the highest level. Batting in the middle order, Riyan scored a match-winning fifty, displaying his talent and composure.
Going into his second season, with more experience on his side and the backing of the management, the only way is up for Riyan. Batting along with stalwarts Smith and Stokes in the middle order and learning the tricks of the trade from some of the very best in the business will do a world of good for the youngster. Moreover, exposure to the pressure situations which come with the crucial responsibility of finishing the innings will make him grow as an individual player. With the ball, the wrist spinner might not be given the responsibility of bowling his full quota, but can be handed a very crucial role of breaking partnerships in the middle overs.
Kings XI Punjab – Ravi Bishnoi
Setting the stage on fire in the recently concluded U-19 World Cup in South Africa, Ravi Bishnoi is all set to set his foot in the IPL. Bagged by KXIP in the auctions for the upcoming season, the bowling all-rounder form Rajasthan has been impressive in the domestic circuit too. One of the best bowlers in the U-19 World Cup, Bishnoi’s wicket-taking ability makes him a prized asset. The accuracy and variations he possesses makes him one of the trump cards for his side, just like he was for the U-19 side.
Skillful with the ball, Bishnoi is a more than handy batsman too. Not yet up to a level to be considered as an all-rounder, the youngster certainly has the potential to master the trade of batting. Moreover, he is a livewire on the field and is a very safe fielder. The complete package that he is along with his aggressive bowling, makes Bishnoi a very important cog in the wheel for KXIP for this year as well as many more years to come.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Nitish Rana
KKR’s middle-order batting mainstay, Nitish Rana impressed one and all in his very first season in the IPL for Mumbai Indians in 2017, before being bought by KKR. The left-hander is a perfect T20 batsman, having the power game required to dominate the middle overs. Rana has so far played exceptionally well for KKR, having scored 300-plus runs in both the seasons. The left-hander from Delhi has the ability to clear the boundaries at will, particularly against the spinners.
A part-time spinner, Rana has the knack of breaking crucial partnerships as well. The upcoming season will see KKR without Chris Lynn and hence increased responsibility on the experienced shoulders of Nitish Rana. Having proved his potential before, this season he will be expected to go one step ahead and be a consistent match-winner for his side.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal was the find of the domestic season last year as he topped most batting charts in the limited overs formats. The 19-year old Karnataka opener was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore before the 2019 season, but did not get any game last year. However, with the kind of performance he has displayed recently, it will be hard to ignore him for a place in the starting XI.
The left-handed opener has been in great form and RCB management will expect the youngster to make the most of his purple patch at the batting-friendly Chinnaswamy. If given opportunities, Padikkal will be one of the uncapped players to watch out for in the tournament.
Delhi Capitals – Harshal Patel
Having started his IPL career in 2012, Haryana all-rounder Harshal Patel has so far played 41 games in the league. Yet to make a long-lasting impact in the IPL, Harshal has a great opportunity in the upcoming edition to announce himself. With Ishant nursing injuries, Harshal will most likely be the spearhead of Indian pace attack for DC. Having a decent strike rate in his IPL career so far, Harshal has been on the expensive side; much of it comes from the fact that he played most of his games for RCB at the high-scoring Chinnaswamy. However, with the more sporty Delhi pitch, Harshal can be a very useful bowler with his variations and wicket-taking ability.
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A more than handy batsman lower down the order, with the ability to use the long handle, he might prove to be useful for his side.
Chennai Super Kings – Ruturaj Gaikwad
A technically as well as temperamentally strong opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad was snapped by CSK in the 2018 auctions. The 22-year old batsman from Pune is yet to get a game for the Super Kings, but this might be the year when he makes his IPL debut. Having performed exceptionally well in the domestic circuit over the past 3 years or so, Gaikwad has been in great form coming into the tournament. His terrific shows with the bat for India A on various tours displayed his batting prowess. Having the ability to play with good technique and also score at a brisk pace, Gaikwad is just the kind of opener CSK always want, given their strategy of not losing many wickets in the powerplays and capitalizing afterwards.
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Despite not playing in the IPL before, Gaikwad is not someone who lacks experience, especially having spent quality time with the experienced CSK squad for two seasons. Having played domestic cricket for more than 4 years and excelling every single season, Gaikwad is the uncapped player to look out for from CSK.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Abhishek Sharma
A part of the India squad which lifted the World Cup in 2018, Abhishek Sharma was bagged by Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) in 2018. Getting his chances very late in the season, the 17-year all-rounder from Punjab did not waste any time in displaying what he is capable of. With 19-ball-46, Abhishek caught everyone’s attention. Before the 2019 auctions, he was traded in by Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, he did not get many opportunities for SRH.
The skipper of the U-19 side which won the Asia Cup in 2016, Abhishek is a very potent all-rounder. Being a left-arm spinner and a lower middle order batsman known for his aggressive batting, he can prove to be a game-changer for SRH if given a longer run. Keeping in mind the dearth of middle order batmen in the SRH squad this year, Sharma might just get his opportunities and will have a great chance to create a long-lasting impact.
