IPL has always provided stars of pedigree
IPL is a gift that keeps on giving year after year. Indian cricket has been its been beneficiary right from its season of inception. It has also provided a platform for many to garner global reckoning.
Talents like Yusuf Pathan were picked up from the IPL while players like Watson and Raina used it to make a comeback into their respective national teams.
IPL 2020 has been no different. It had everything, from the class and consistency of few established names to the raw, supreme talent of unheralded players.
StumpsandBails has come up with a list of such players who lit the tournament with their sheer brilliance.
T Natarajan
In a star-studded lineup comprising Warner, Williamson, Bairstow, and Rashid, it was T Natarajan who became the talking point of SRH this season. His ability to bowl Yorkers at will made him a popular household name across the country. People now call him Yorker Natrajan.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
He tested positive for Covid and was stuck in self-isolation for 14 days. He was immediately drafted into the playing XI as soon as he was available. He made a disastrous debut was left out soon.
But finally, he got a chance to make a name, and boy he grabbed that chance with both hands. He slammed 3 back to back fifties, picked up 3 consecutive man of the match awards. Ruturaj is someone with whom CSK would be building their team for the future.
Ishan Kishan
He was perennially overshadowed by the galactic stars present in the MI lineup. But this season belonged to him. He was the highest run-scorer for his team even though he had to miss a couple of matches at the start. Kishan has clearly let out a statement that he too is in contention to replace MS Dhoni.
KL Rahul
He led the team from the front. He was equanimous both in victory and in defeat. The way he carried himself right throughout the tournament helped KXIP stay in shape. Thanks to Rahul that KXIP made the news for all good reasons this season.
Rahul Tewatia
His innings against KXIP was a life lesson. He didn’t give up even when the going got tough. He hung in there to deliver the knockout punch when needed. His self-belief stood out quite clearly and he proved that he was no novice when it came to handling pressure.
Varun Chakravarthy
His life much like his cricketing career has been a fairytale. He started playing serious cricket only in 2018 and by the end of 2020, he found himself a spot in India’s T20 squad.
Varun for KKR this year was the force that Narine once used to be. This successful transition would hold the team well for the future.
Devdutt Padikkal
When you think of RCB’s batting, it almost always boils down to 2 names: Virat and AB. In that space, if a youngster manages to outscore both of them to be the top run-getter in the team, then that boy must be special. Devdutt Padikkal is special!
Marcus Stoinis
He played for KXIP, he was with RCB last year, but neither of the teams seemed to have used Stoinis well. For he was one player who could change the fortunes of a game in a couple of overs. Then in the auction of 2020, DC picked up Stoinis and he went on to be a game-changer this year for them. Batting, bowling, attitude, Stoinis didn’t disappoint one bit.
