IPL 2017: 5 emerging talents Team Indian should watch out for

There are umpteen reasons why Indian Premier League (IPL) is arguably the best T20 tournament in the world. For about two months each year, fans are provided with entertainment-filled evenings, everyone associated with the cash-rich extravaganza makes a lot of money, and above all - the cricket is top notch.

Yet, despite all of this, IPL's biggest gift is the sheer talent it has unearthed over the past decade.

As much as purists wouldn't want players to be drafted into the national team on the back of this competition, there's little doubt in the fact that the IPL has been a wonderful platform to launch quality cricketers. The likes of Shaun Marsh and Ravindra Jadeja have the IPL to thank greatly, for they went on to build successful international careers after making a mark in the initial years of the T20 league.

This season too, the IPL hasn't failed to put forth a bunch of stars for the future. While it's true that the tournament has witnessed many one-season-wonders, one can't help but be hopeful that these next-gen players will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Here's a look at five such Indian cricketers, who could represent Team India in the years to come:

Rishabh Pant

(Photo credit: AFP)

When people say you could be the one to end Mahendra Singh Dhoni's international career, you should know you're seriously talented!

Pant had caught people's attention when he represented India at the Under-19 World Cup, but the keeper-batsman from Delhi made headlines after smashing a triple-century against Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy last year.

The 19-year-old had a phenomenal IPL 10. From being just another youngster in the team, Pant became a mainstay for the Delhi Daredevils over the course of the tournament. So much so that fans at the Feroz Shah Kotla would remain seated till the youngster was at the crease, even if they knew their team had no chance of  winning.

Pant's belligerent batting, and efficient glove-work behind the stumps, has pundits believing that he could be the ideal replacement for Dhoni. Although the left-hander made his debut for the Men in Blue against England in a T20 last year, he could have to wait in the wings for a while because of a certain someone.

Even so, there's little doubt that Pant is staring at a bright future.

Basil Thampi

(Photo credit: AFP)

India was never known for producing match-winning fast-bowlers. In fact, this department of the game has been a perennial bane for the subcontinental giants. The sight of a pacer coming in and delivering the goods, thus, gives much joy to Indian cricket aficionados.

Neither did Basil Thampi bag a remarkable amount of wickets for the Gujarat Lions in IPL 2017, nor were his overs super economical. The 23-year-old from Kerala, though, impressed one and all with his beautiful action and immaculate yorkers.

Thampi's 11 wickets from 12 matches, at an economy rate of 9.49, might compel you to believe that he had an average season. But what it doesn't tell you is that among his 11 victims were MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Hashim Amla.

His domestic career is still at a nascent stage, but Thampi is definitely one for the future.

Rahul Tripathi

(Photo credit: AFP)

You know what's worse than going through a lean patch as a batsman? It's to see your partner at the other end blaze away. And if that happens in almost every game, you know critics are going to bay for your blood. In IPL 10, such was the fate of one of India's most prolific batsman over the last couple of years - Ajinkya Rahane.

Rising Pune Supergiant entered the competition with one of the weakest bowling attacks. Hence, it was imperative for their batters to fire and give them a fighting chance. And oh boy, Rahul Tripathi did just that at the top of the order.

The right-hander's 388 runs from 13 matches, at an average of 29.84, was just what his team needed. What was most impressive, though, was his strike-rate of 149.80. The lad from Maharashtra would walk in fearlessly, play sumptuous strokes, and set up the game for the runners-up.

In a line-up that boasted of Rahane, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, and Dhoni, Tripathi did exceedingly well to leave an impression.

Mohammed Siraj

(Photo credit: AFP)

IPL is a dream factory for budding cricketers in India - this is another story that tells you why.

As his father rode an auto-rickshaw in Hyderabad, Mohammed Siraj toiled away to become the second-highest wicket-taker among pacers in the Ranji Trophy last year. And before he knew it, Sunrisers Hyderabad had bought him for Rs 2.6 crore in this year's IPL auctions.

Siraj broke into the playing XI when veteran Ashish Nehra sustained an injury. From there on, the 23-year-old picked up ten wickets from the six games he played. He has a smooth action, can work up decent pace, and has deceptive slower-balls in his armoury.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan might have taken home much of the plaudits, but the wise men of Indian cricket would be foolish to not keep an eye out for Siraj.

Nitish Rana

(Photo credit: AFP)

When Aussie great Ricky Ponting says you could be playing for your country soon, it means you've surely done something right.

Nitish Rana took IPL 2017 by storm with his stunning stroke-play and helped cement Mumbai Indians' place at the top of the league.

Over the last few years, the 23-year-old made a name for himself in Delhi's cricketing circles with his ultra-aggressive batting. This IPL showed how Rana's explosive shots are supported by a wonderful technique.

With just an extension of a textbook cricketing stroke, he could hit a six on either side of the wicket. Rana smashed 333 runs in 13 games, at an average of 30.27, with three half-centuries.

He took Ambati Rayudu's place in the middle order at the start of the season, but had to make way after a dip in form coincided with the latter's return from injury. Rana's runs might have dried out after a scintillating start, but the southpaw showed enough promise to bring himself in the spotlight.