The 10th edition of the Indian Premier League has been about young Indian players coming to the fore and winning their team matches on their own. In a season where veteran T20 players like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Yusuf Pathan, Lasith Malinga and many others have not been able to light up the tournament, it is these superstars of the future who have taken up the responsibility. They add a lot of value to their franchises by contributing much more than their price tag. So here are the Top five emerging Indian players from the IPL season so far.
5) SIDDARTH KAUL
This 26 year old pacer from Punjab has finally come on his own in this year’s IPL while playing for David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad. With a brilliant capability of bowling the slower balls and Yorkers, Kaul makes a fantastic death over bowler. Warner has entrusted him with the last over on more than one occasion while defending a score.
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He was particularly impressive in the match against KXIP where he ended with figures of 3/36. In the 6 matches that he has played, Kaul has picked up 8 wickets in 22.4 overs with an average of 25.37 at an impressive strike rate of 17. Although a tad expensive at times, Kaul has been a strike bowler for Warner & Co.
4) RISHABH PANT
This Delhi Daredevils wicket-keeper batsman has been spectacular throughout the domestic season and is carrying his form into the IPL. He is just 19 years of age but has shown incredible maturity especially when he came back after performing his father’s last rites and scored a gritty half century against the RCB. He has been played pretty low down the order in most of the matches due to which he was not being too effective.
In the last match against the Gujarat Lions, DD were chasing a stiff target of 208 when Rishabh Pant was sent in at No. 3. Pant decided to go berserk with Samson at the other end providing a good support. He took the Lions bowlers out of the park hitting 9 sixes and 6 fours. However, he ended up falling 3 short of a superb century when he was dismissed for 97 off 43 balls. In the 10 matches, Pant has scored 281 runs at an unbelievable strike rate of 175.62 at an average of 28.10 hitting 20 fours and 20 sixes. This youngster is definitely one for the future.
3) BASIL THAMPI
Gujarat Lions have had a season to forget but this young Lions bowler who plays for Kerala in the domestic circuit has impressed one and all. With a huge stock of variations like the slower ball, wide yorker, bouncer and many others, this 23 year old boy has been a bright spark for the Gujarat Lions. He has played 10 matches thus far and picked up 9 wickets in 37 overs with an average of 37 and strike rate of 24.66.
He has been unlucky to have not picked up more wickets as many catches have been dropped off his bowling. With some express pace, he has troubled most of the batsmen in this tournament and he showed his calibre against the power-packed MI team when he registered his best figures of 3/29 which enabled GL to tie the match. The talented youngster can soon play for the national side provided he keeps working hard.
2) NITISH RANA
The man from Delhi who plays for Mumbai Indians has been terrific this season as he took the IPL by storm. He has always been backed by Gautam Gambhir and is considered to be his find. Rana has made the No. 3 spot in the MI lineup his own scoring 3 fifties and showing some aggressive intent while hitting 20 fours and 17 sixes.
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He also held the Orange Cap for a while which is a huge achievement for a 22 year old youngster making his mark. His highest score is 62* only but he has been incredibly consistent scoring 312 runs in 10 matches at a brilliant average of 34.66 and strike rate of 129.46. Many legends of the game have praised this young man and he could soon be in the reckoning for a national call-up if he continues his form into the domestic season.
1) RAHUL TRIPATHI
Rahul Tripathi has been having a dream season with the Rising Pune Supergiant. The 26 year old batsman plays for Maharashtra in the domestic circle and has been an unknown player till this year when he has impressed the best of players with his superlative performances in the IPL. He got an opportunity in the 3rd game when Manoj Tiwary had to miss out due to his father’s demise. Since then, Tripathi has not looked back and given explosive starts to the team.
He is 7th on the list of the highest run getters this IPL. He has scored 352 runs in 9 matches at a brilliant average of 39.11 and a sky high strike rate of 155.06. He has already hit 38 fours and 16 sixes in this season. He made a record when he scored 6 consecutive 30+ scores which gave the RPS a very good start. He has scored 2 50s and he made a huge impression when he scored 93 off just 52 balls hitting 9 fours and 7 sixes against KKR at the Mecca of cricket, Eden Gardens enabling RPS to chase down 155 and win the match. This young man is another player who has been superb and the selectors would definitely keep an eye on him.
