The Indian Premier League has completed 10 years and has once again provided all kinds of entertainment. Popular cricketers across the globe have together contributed in making the league what it is today. Along with the international who’s-who, it has also provided an arena for fresh players to display their potential.
Nothing is more pleasing than the sight of a rookie playing some fearless cricket, whether it is smashing internationally renowned bowlers across the park or bamboozling batting greats with their bowling. This year, once again, the youngsters have come up with some exceptional performances.
Sanju Samson has been an exciting prospect who has continued to remain impressive throughout the season. He batted with complete freedom at the top and didn't show any kind of hesitation in going for some adventurous shots. His century against Rising Pune Supergiant was a clear proof of his resilience. He scored two half centuries as well to mark his valour with the bat.
His teammate Rishabh Pant was another feather in the youngsters’ cap. He displayed exemplary courage, representing his franchise in spite of having lost his father. With some fascinating knocks throughout the IPL, he managed to hog the limelight. His 97 (43) in a crucial encounter against the Gujarat Lions managed to grab eyeballs of Sachin Tendulkar who remarked it as one of the best knocks ever in IPL history. Even his skills behind the stumps were praiseworthy.
Shreyas Iyer who has already been a renowned name in the domestic season was in fine form during the IPL. His 96 (57) against the Gujarat Lions helped Delhi Daredevils chase a mammoth total of 196. In the absence of an experienced batting lineup, the trio displayed their gallantry with some power packed performances at different stages during the IPL.
Rahul Tripathi's power-hitting proficiency came to the fore this season. He successfully managed to repay the faith that the RPS management had shown by promoting him as an opener. With 391 runs in the season, Rahul Tripathi was among the top 10 run scorers in the IPL. He showcased his ability with a breathtaking knock of 93 (52) as he singlehandedly guided his team to victory against KKR. He followed it up with some splendid knocks and came out guns blazing as an opener every time his team needed him.
Last year, Krunal Pandya had already made for himself a crucial spot for Mumbai Indians in the playing XI. Players of his versatility can be a valuable asset to any team and he did not disappoint. With 243 runs in this edition backed by 10 wickets, Krunal Pandya excelled in producing some sensational performances whenever the chips were down for the Mumbai Indians. He was also, of course, the man of the match in the final. Krunal Pandya had an integral part in MI's IPL winning campaign whether it came from his gritty batting or some street-smart clever bowling.
Nitish Rana, again from the Mumbai Indians, showcased his abilities at a superior level. He was the top run scorer for a brief period. By the latter part of the tournament, he became a little bit inconsistent and ended up getting dropped. However, that doesn't take away the fact that his stellar performances throughout the season were crucial in determining Mumbai Indians’ prowess in the points table. He scored 3 splendid half centuries.
While RCB didn't have a great season, all rounder Pawan Negi strung together some handy performances with both bat and ball. His contributions with the bat improved as the season progressed. The left arm spinner picked up 16 wickets in 12 games at an average of 12.31 and economy of 6.12. This was a considerable improvement from his stats in the previous years.
The Gujarat Lions’ prospects were hurt badly in the absence of Andrew Tye. However, Basil Thampi provided a glimpse of his cocktail of deceptive variations, including yorkers and slower deliveries, to keep the batsmen guessing. While it wasn't enough to make a difference for the Gujarat Lions, he made a mark in proving himself as a bowler. Small wonder he went on to win the emerging player of the tournament award.
If there was Basil Thampi for the Gujarat Lions, it was Siddharth Kaul who shined for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. His variations in pace and precision yorkers managed to outfox many batsmen. He justified the captain's confidence shown in him as he proved to be equally effective with the old ball and emerged as a bright prospect. He ended up taking 16 wickets in the season.
Mohammed Siraj was another Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler who showed great promise. It takes special effort to achieve great heights in a bowling attack that comprises of stalwarts like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra and Rashid Khan. His 4/32 triggered a collapse in the Gujarat Lions batting ranks as he castled them one by one. He rose to the occasion in a must win game for SRH to qualify for the playoffs and was awarded the man of the match as well.
These players have provided a tremendous display of their grit and mettle and have given us a glimpse of their dauntlessness in different occasions. Though it is too early to call them the future of Indian cricket, it would be interesting to see how they grow from here, now that the IPL has provided them a platform to instill confidence.
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