That scoop over the wicketkeeper's head may have brought you joy. But how surprised were you to learn that the willow-wielder who dispatched that unplayable toe-crusher to the boundary was a newbie. IPL 8 has given us many such moments. Taus Rizvi brings to you the youngsters who have impressed one and all with their confidence and unique style this summer...
Shreyas Iyer (20)
Delhi Daredevils
Style: Right-hand opening batsman
Delhi Daredevils surprised us all by shelling out Rs 2.6 crore on this Mumbai lad. A hot property in his maiden Ranji Trophy season, Iyer carried that form into the shortest version of the game. He impressed everyone with his sound technique and attacking style of play. The right-handed opener, who up the role for the first time in his career, was the most consistent player of the squad. Not only did he finish as his team's top run-getter, but he was also in contention for the Orange Cap. His defining knock was that 83 against Mumbai Indians, the team he used to support before making his IPL debut.
THIS SEASON
Mat Inns Runs HS Avg SR 50s 4s 6s
14 14 439 83 33.76 128.36 4 41 21
DEFINING PERFORMANCE
83 (56 balls, 7x4, 5x6) vs Mumbai Indians in New Delhi
Sarfaraz Khan (17)
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Style: Right-hand middle-order batsman
Touted as the next big thing, Sarfaraz Khan hogged the limelight after RCB bought him for Rs 50 lakh. At 17, he became the youngest player to play in the IPL. Even as all eyes were on this boy from Kurla, he could not get enough opportunities because he batted lower down the order. But in his second game, Sarfaraz hit Ravindra Jadeja for a six before getting out. However, his biggest outing came against Rajasthan Royals in a washout. He displayed all his batting skills during his 45-run knock which comprised unorthodox shots like scoops, a square drive and an attempted reverse sweep that was played with the wrong side of the bat. Even Virat Kohli was in awe.
THIS SEASON
Mat Inns Runs HS Avg SR 50s 4s 6s
11 6 78 45* 25.33 151.22 0 8 2
DEFINING PERFORMANCE
45 (21 balls, 6x4, 1x6) vs Rajasthan Royals in Bangalore
Deepak Hooda (20)
Rajasthan Royals
Style: Right-hand middle-order batsman and off-spinner
Rajasthan Royals are known to unearth special talents every year. This time, they had someone called Deepak Hooda. After benching the Baroda youngster for the whole of IPL 7, Hooda got his big break this year. He proved his worth with his big-hitting skills. He showed glimpses of his abilities with a 15-ball 30 against Kings XI Punjab on debut. However, the knock that made him a household name was that 54 off 25 balls against Delhi Daredevils. Not just that, this former Under-19 World Cup all-rounder is a handy offie too.
THIS SEASON
Mat Inns Runs HS Avg SR 50s 4s 6s
13 8 140 54 20.00 172.83 1 6 11
DEFINING PERFORMANCE
54 (25 balls, 3x4, 4x6) vs Delhi Daredevils in New Delhi
Pawan Negi (22)
Chennai Super Kings
Style: Left-arm spinner
Negi is a fortunate chap because MS Dhoni has a lot of confidence in him. The left-arm spinner from Delhi is one of the biggest finds of the tournament. He played two games for CSK in IPL 7. But he finally got the chance to display his all-round skills this season. He is a bowler who tightens the screws on the opposition by darting the ball in. Dhoni may have missed out on the services of R Ashwin, but Negi was his man. He is a handy batsman too. The left-hander is a hard hitter of the ball scores at a fast pace.
THIS SEASON
Mat Inns Overs Wkts BBI Avg Econ 4WI Runs HS
7 7 23 6 2/25 30.66 8.00 0 102 24
DEFINING PERFORMANCE
2/25 vs Kings XI Punjab in Chandigarh
Hardik Pandya (21)
Mumbai Indians
Style: Right-hand middle-order batsman and right-arm medium pacer
Before Hardik Pandya's arrival, Mumbai Indians had only one entertainer — Kieron Pollard. The Baroda batsman was an unknown quantity till he unleashed himself against Chennai Super Kings in a crucial game. His 11-ball 21, inclusive of three sixes, turned the game on its head, giving Mumbai an important win. His reputation was only enhanced when he came up with another gem — a 31-ball 61 in a do-or-die against Kolkata Knight Riders — that kept MI's playoff hopes alive. Pandya, whose father is a businessman, is not just a big-hitting batsman but also a useful medium-pacer.
THIS SEASON
Mat Inns Runs HS Avg SR 50s 4s 6s
6 6 111 61* 37.00 191.37 1 9 8
DEFINING PERFORMANCE
61 (31 balls, 8x4, 2x6) vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai
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