IPL 2021 featured 29 games up until the point the tournament was postponed. The tournament gave us a glimpse of the talent that is waiting in the wings. There is a great depth of young talent especially when it comes to Indian cricket. The youngsters have been so wonderful to watch that one might be tempted to field them in the national team right away. These uncapped players exude so much confidence that there is a certain inevitability about their success even at the international level.
StumpsandBails looks at 6 uncapped players who get a chance to represent the nation soon:
#6 Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy is probably the only Indian mystery spinner. His variations are tough to pick despite him playing a sizeable number of games. His mystery value makes him a must-have in the national team to counter strong opposition batsmen. India have recently struggled with their spin department. Chakravarthy just might be a welcome addition.
#5 Chetan Sakariya
Cricketing experts have labelled Chetan Sakariya from RR as the find of the IPL. This youngster from Saurashtra has delivered in every game. He has brilliantly lived up to the hype that was built around him. Sakariya is a wicket-taker at any stage of the game. He is a brilliant fielder too. His left arm angle provides variety to any bowling attack. We may soon see him representing the country.
#4 Harshal Patel
RCB bought Harshal Patel in an inspired pre-season tradeoff from DC in 2021. He was handed the death-overs duties for the season. And boy did he deliver. He emerged as the runaway winner for the purple cap. Patel picked up 17 wickets in 7 games and an India call-up is round the corner.
#3 Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad has impressed one and all with his talent and temperament. His stroke-making and calmness at the crease have drawn huge acclaim. Virender Sehwag has touted Gaikwad to captain CSK 2-3 years down the line. His maturity and adaptability make him an uncapped player to watch out for.
#2 Avesh Khan
DC took everyone by surprise when they chose Avesh Khan ahead of Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav in the playing XI. But Khan has been on the ball right from the word go. His discipline and skills have fetched him great rewards in IPL 2021. Khan has wickets to his name. His strike rate of 12.85 and economy rate of 7.70 is flat-out brilliant. He has already been added to India’s squad as standby for the England tour. An India call-up isn’t far away.
#1 Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal is one youngster with whom the entire world is in love. Cricketing fans and experts alike have heaped praises on Padikkal. His classical stroke play and ability to shift gears seamlessly in IPL 2021 has impressed everyone. The tour to Sri Lanka might just be his calling card. We expect Padikkal to don the India cap soon.
