Here are eight upcoming Indian players who have the ability to leave a lasting impression in IPL 8.
As memories of India's dream run in the 2015 World Cup all but seep away into cricketing shadows, the country is geared up to welcome the Indian Premier League.
Of course each of the eight franchises have some superb talent, who can explode at the drop of a hat.
So as a nation awaits for another season of cricket-ainement, here are eight young Indian players to watch out for in IPL 8.
Baba Aparajith (20) - Chennai Super Kings
Baba Aparjith (DNA)
Tamil Nadu's Aparajith (20) is one of the youngest players in IPL 8 and will be a vital cog for CSK in the tournament.
Aparajith had a stellar 2014-15 domestic season with Tamil Nadu, as he scored heavily in both the Ranji and Deodhar Trophy.
Winning the Ranji Trophy was a crown added to his feather, which gives him enough incentive to blast his way into IPL record books.
553 runs in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy and an average of 84.50 in the Deodhar Trophy is enough testimony of his amazing talent, despite the fact that first-class cricket and IPL are as different as chalk and cheese.
Of course if Aparajith does manage to switch gears successfully and adapt his game to the frenetic pace of the IPL, then rest assured we do have a virtual treat on hand!
Shreyas Iyer (20) - Delhi Daredevils
Shreyas Iyer (DNA)
A price tag of Rs 2.6 crore in the pre-tournament auction?
Not bad at all for a player who is touted as the best amongst uncapped players in the tournament.
Yes though Iyer was part of the Mumbai team which capitulated for 44 in the semi-final loss against Karnataka (and also endured a humiliating loss to Jammu and Kashmir in the league stages at home), nevertheless he stood out as the team's top-scorer in the tournament.
809 runs at an average of 50 is good enough for Iyer to stake his claim as a potential IPL pretender. Iyer, who normally bats at one down, will find the format to his liking, thanks to his exploits for West Zone in ODI's in the year gone by.
Much is expected of Shreyas, who is expected to spring a mighty surprise for Delhi!
Shardul Thakur (23) - Kings XI Punjab
Shardul Thakur (DNA)
For a guy who was 'overweight' at the onset of his cricket career, Thakur surely has come a long way!
48 wickets and five-wicket hauls later, the 5 feet 9 pacer has made a storming comeback.
Thakur was Mumbai's highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy, and touched the 140-km mark in the game against Railways.
The stocky lad has amazing work-ethic and if he combines his lethal pace with unerring accuracy, then Punjab may have found a winner here.
Kuldeep Yadav (20) - Kolkata Knight Riders
Kuldeep Yadav (India.com)
The one thing that sets Yadav apart is the fact that he is a 'China-man' bowler, a breed which is as rare as an oasis in a cricketing desert.
Despite not displaying eye-catching form in the Ranji Trophy (he picked up 13 wickets at an average of 35.38 for Uttar Pradesh), Yadav has the ability to bamboozle batsmen in the IPL, thanks to his multitude of variations.
The fact that the format is a batsman-oriented one, Yadav can spring up a surprise and pave his way in IPL's history books, with his canny wrong un's.
His impressive stint with Kolkata in the 2014 T-20 Champions League, as he played excellent foil to Sunil Narine, only proves that he can deliver in IPL 8.
And yes...he did pick up 14 wickets in the 2014 U-19 World Cup in UAE.
Shreyas Gopal (21) - Mumbai Indians
Shreyas Gopal (India.com)
Another player from Karnataka's Ranji Trophy winning side, and Gopal definitely has all the credentials to be the next big IPL star.
663 runs at an average of 55.25 backed up with a stellar performance with the ball, which saw him capture 28 wickets, have seen the young Gopal become a pillar in the current Karnataka team.
Though his crafty leg-spin is what really adds immense value to his ability, still his form in the just concluded domestic season also makes him liable for the tag of 'bowling all-rounder'.
Gopal, who bats in the middle-order, can be counted upon to provide the finishing touches, of course after he is done with sorting out batsmen with his sizzling leg-breaks.
Karun Nair (23) - Rajasthan Royals
Karun Nair (DNA)
A triple century in the Ranji Trophy final is good enough to mark Nair as a player who can wreak havoc in the IPL.
While his 328 ensured that Karnataka broke their 15-year long domestic jinx, still Nair will have to do some homework before he tries to adjust to life in the fast-paced lanes of the IPL.
Stats of 709 runs at an average of 47.26 is something which cannot be discounted, for Nair displayed excellent temperament for Karnataka throughout the tournament.
Though only time will tell as to whether the Jodhpur born batsman can carry the same form in IPL 8, his ability to withstand the best of bowlers will of course be an asset for Rajasthan.
Sandeep Warrier (23) - Royal Challengers Banglalore
Sandeep Warrier (Sandeep Warriers' Twitter account)
Though Warrier only played two Ranji Trophy games for Kerala in 2014-15, still he did enough to ensure that RCB snapped him up.
His 4 for 45 in the league game against Tripura was the highlight of his domestic season, and despite not being counted in the same breath as his Karnataka counterparts, still Warrier can prove to be the 'X-factor' in IPL 8.
24 wickets in five matches in the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy are enough proof of his burgeoning talent, and though he could not replicate similar heroics in the just concluded season, still he can skittle out batsmen with raw pace.
Remember his 6 for 44 against Jharkhand?
KL Rahul (22) - Sunrisers Hyderabad
KL Rahul (DNA)
Rahul can aptly be called as 'King' of the just concluded Ranji Trophy, after he became the highest run scorer in the tournament.
His triple century against Uttar Pradesh and of course that amazing 188 in the final against Karanataka, has made him a certain contender to shine amongst this new breed of Indian players in IPL 8.
Add to that the 110 against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Sydney, and presto we do have a champion batsman in the making!
Rahul was the architect of Karnataka's dream domestic season and is also touted to create waves in Indian cricket.
For a player who can hold his own against world class pacers like Mitchell Starc, Ryan Harris and Josh Hazlewood, would IPL 8 prove to be the turning point in his budding career?
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