IPL’s Young Talents

‘Talent meets opportunity’ has always been the motto of the Indian Premier league and this precisely pin points to the young brigade of today’s cricketing world.

One thing that the Indian skipper MS Dhoni always mentions in the post match press conferences is how his team can handle pressure and cites that the IPL gives them that platform, where 50,000 people would come and watch them play and that they have gotten used to the big stage.

Here is a look at some of the best young talents in this year’s IPL, who can be the next big names in the cricket world.

1. Shreyas Iyer

This Mumbaikar has already played some quality knocks at the domestic level and was the highest run getter in the Ranji Trophy this year, scoring at a breath taking average of 50.56 and hence got an opportunity to play for the Delhi Daredevils in this season. He has already impressed a few with some astounding stroke plays and display of character. Could it turn out to be his season?

1. Sanju Samson

This prodigious young talent from Kerala is already a super star in his own right as he played some scintillating knocks in the IPL and CLT20 even before he made his first class debut. The then Rajasthan Royals captain, Rahul Dravid already pronounced him as a ‘rare talent’. But now Samson carries a weight of expectations and for a player who is just 20 years of age, these expectations are too much to ask for. Can he justify his capabilities, only time will tell?

1. Deepak Hooda

Rajasthan Royals have a phenomenal knack of producing young talents and this Baroda lad is no different. The former Indian U-19 player has already stamped his authority in this year’s IPL with some stellar performances and has caught the eye of the Indian team director Ravi Shastri who wrote that he has a brilliant cricketing brain and a perfect six hitting technique.

1. KL Rahul

He is a vital cog in the Karnataka setup and has been one of the pillars of their domestic domination in the last two years now. His hundred in Sydney against the Australians oozed self-belief after his horror debut at Melbourne. The Sunriser’s player shoulders a heavy responsibility on himself in the IPL. Could he be a pillar in the usually weak Sunrisers batting line-up?

1. Axar Patel

The 21 year old Gujarati all-rounder has already shown that he can finish off an innings with the bat and even bowl at the death, which makes him a precocious talent at this T20 dominated age of cricket. He is already a key member of the Kings XI setup and a lot would depend on this youngster if the Mohali based franchise wants to go one step further in the ongoing tournament.

1. Sean Abbot

This New South Wales allrounder has a great career ahead and this IPL could just be the start of it. With Mitchell Starc injured, Abbot has already got the nod and has also played a couple of matches for the Royal Challengers. But the flat deck at Chinnaswamy could prove unfavourable for him where even the best of the bowlers go for plenty.

1. KC Cariappa

Yet another Karnataka young gun, Cariappa surprised a few when he was picked up by KKR for a whopping Rs 2.4 crores, 24 times his base price. The young spinner feels that the opportunity is a big deal in itself and shied away from his heavy price tag.  He could add to the mystery element in the KKR bowling, whenever he gets his chance.

1. Adam Milne

This young Black Cap quickie has yet to hit stride on the international circuit with injuries marring his career but the young fast bowler will be hoping to get going as soon as possible on the biggest of the stages. Once again he needs to brave the belter of a Chinnaswamy track when he turns up for the Royal Challengers this season.

1. Matt Henry

This Kiwi fast bowler from Canterbury is yet to kick start his career but has been highly rated as the next big thing in the Kiwi fast bowling setup. It’s for this precise reason that Stephen Fleming got him into the CSK setup. With not a recognised foreign fast bowler in CSK side, Matt Henry might just come to their rescue.

1. Gurinder Sandhu

Yet another quickie, Gurinder Sandhu has had a brilliant domestic season back at home and would turn up for the Delhi Daredevils this season. But with limited opportunities for the foreign players, this Sydney lad might find it hard to break into the first team too soon.

1. Sandeep Sharma

This Patiala born seam bowler has already made giant strides on the big stage. With some incisive seam movement and late swing, he has troubled the best of the batsmen. He stood out in Kings XI’s solid performance in the last edition of IPL. He could well be a player to watch out for in the ongoing IPL as well.

Edited by Shivang Aggarwal