Indian Premier League (IPL), over the last 12 years, is known for its quality to produce sensational players. Some of the players who are shining on the international horizons are findings of the IPL. So this season won`t be an exception in terms of finding ineffable talent from the cash-rich tournament. Some of the debutants we will see in this edition are:
Lalith Yadav (Delhi Capitals), 24, all-rounder.
T20s – 35, Runs – 560, SR-149.33, Wickets – 27, Eco – 6.86
Lalith Yadav is an effective middle-order batsman who usually bats from No. 5 to No. 7. He played a crucial role for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, scoring 152 in five games. His batting figures in the last three innings are: 36* (19b), 23 (14b), 52* (25b) – reflect his ability. His strike-rate (197.40) in the tournament was tremendous.
Shahrukh Khan (Punjab Kings), 25, batsman.
T20s – 31, Runs – 293, SR – 131.39, HS – 40*
Punjab Kings are desperate to find an answer for their middle-order problems. And now they have a panacea in the avatar of Shahrukh Khan. Khan did trememdous job on numerous occasions for his state team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament. TN were 66/5 in 13 overs chasing 136 before Khan took them home with an innings that included five fours and two sixes. In the final against Baroda, he scored a crucial 18* off seven balls in a 121-run chase.
Chetan Sakariya (Rajasthan Royals), 23, fast bowler
T20s – 16, Wickets – 28, Economy – 7.08, Average – 15.10, 4w/5w – 1/1
Chetan Sakariya got his first big break when Jaydev Unadkat got injured ahead of Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat in 2018. In that match Sakariya picked 5/83. He ended with 29 wickets in eight matches. In T20s, Sakariya has taken 28 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.08 per over.
Dawid Malan (Punjab Kings), 33, batsman
T20Is – 24, Runs – 1003, Avg – 50.15, SR – 144.31, HS – 103*
England the batsman is ready for his maiden foray in IPL. The left-hander, a destructive top-order bat, will provide Punjab Kings the versatility they need with two right-handed top-order options available in skipper KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.
Mohammed Azharuddin (Royal Challengers Bangalore), 27, batsman
T20s – 24, Runs – 451, SR – 142.27, HS – 137*
The wicketkeeper-batsman turned everyone’s head around when he blasted a 54-ball 137* for Kerala against hosts Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20. The opener reached his century off just 37 balls. The innings included nine fours and 11 sixes. It was the first T20 ton by a Kerala batsman. He has finally had red hot form. It remains to be seen if it continues in IPL or not.
Kyle Jamieson (Royal Challengers Bangalore), 26, fast bowler
T20s: Matches: 42, Wickets: 55, Best: 6/7, Econ: 8.33, 4w/5w: 1/1
The world is bound to sit up and take notice when Kyle took the first two Test wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli. His most eye-catching international performance so far has come in Test cricket (he took 16 wickets in the recent two-Test series against Pakistan). For sure, Jamieson is an exciting prospect.
Jhye Richardson (Punjab Kings), 24, fast bowler
T20s: Matches: 67, Wickets: 82, Best: 4/19, Econ: 7.92, 4w/5w: 3/0
Australian’s biggest asset is his ability to swing the new ball prodigiously at a decent pace. It was on display in the 2020-21 Big Bash League (BBL) season, Richardson finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 29 wickets in 17 matches at an economy of 7.69 for the Perth Scorchers. Will his BBL success translate into the success of an IPL that is the question over which Punjab Kings look for an answer.
Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bangalore), 27, all-rounder
T20s: Matches: 22, Runs: 699, Highest: 96, SR: 143.53, 50/100: 6/0
The Indore top-order batsman hit 221 runs in five matches, including three fifties at a strike rate of over 150, including a 51-ball 96 against Goa at No. 4. Even Rajat had been tracking by RCB for two years revealed by the coach Mike Hesson. Now, it’s interesting to see what Virat Kohli and AB de Villers can do with an experienced domestic top-order batsman.
Lukman Merivale (Delhi Capitals), 29, bowler
T20s: Matches: 44, Wickets: 72, Best: 5/8, Econ: 6.72, 4w/5w: 1/3
Merivale proved his metal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 by taking 15 wickets in eight matches (second highest in the tournament). In Baroda’s semi-final win against Punjab, he took three wickets, two with the new ball and one at the death. 29-year old Meriwala will definitely enjoy the company of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav.
Finn Allen (Royal Challengers Banglore), 21, batsman
T20s– 3, Runs – 88, SR – 220.0, HS – 71
Finn Allen is all set to play in his maiden IPL. He was signed up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) even before he played that breathtaking knock against Bangladesh. He scored 71 off just 29 balls. This brilliant start to Allen’s career would make him a great attraction for T20 teams around the world and a key player for New Zealand.
