IPL 2021: Chetan Sakariya to Avesh Khan, players who could turn the match around
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 players who have already made an impact for their franchise.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 which begun on April 9 has already seen the eight franchises play their opener games in the span of four days.
The 14th edition of the IPL has also seen a lot of youngsters, who were purchased at the mini-auction, making their debut for the sides. While this IPL, just like last season is being played behind closed doors, there is no disappointment when it comes to entertainment.
While there have been changes in each side, one thing remains similar - the star-studded lineup. Each team has players who can turn the game on its head and make the tournament more exciting.
While all this is expected from the known and international players, there are some youngsters that keep on emerging every year to make a name for themselves.
So for the 2021 edition, a look at some players who have already begun their journey.
Chetan Sakariya made his debut for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their opener clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and started his campaign with the wicket of Mayank Agarwal in his very first over.
The 23-year-old Sakariya got his first IPL wicket and gave off just a run at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It was a fuller length delivery just outside off. Mayank backed away and looked to cream it over covers but ended up edging it to the keeper.
In his first even IPL game, the Saurashtra left-arm pacer finished his fours overs with the figures of 3/31.
In 16 T20s to date, Sakariya has picked 28 wickets at an average of 15.10, an economy rate of 7.08 and a strike rate of 12.70. He had a prolific Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) which handed him the IPL deal.
Making an impact since last season, Surisers Hyderabad's (SRH) Abdul Samad, has already shown the calibre of hitting it effortlessly. While he didn't feature in all the games for SRH last year, he could be a game-changer this year because of his superlative efforts.
In SRH's opening game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Samad's side was in desperate need of runs. It was after the SRH side lost their fifth wicket at the end of the 18th over when Samad came in.
He, on the first ball against Pat Cummins, hit it out of the ground. A back-of-length delivery just outside off, Samad stood tall maintaining a solid base and picked the bones out of it.
A couple of deliveries later, Samad showed some more of it. A slot ball by Cummins and Samad dispatched the ball straight down the ground.
Samad in his IPL career has hit sixes against Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah and Cummins. He has hit 36 sixes in his debut first-class season.
Marco Jansen, the tall South African left-handed quick, who is part of the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) squad, made an impact in the opener of the IPL 2021 clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
The Mumbai franchise had handed him the debut cap in the season opener and Marco Jensen proved to be vital as his bowling figures of 28 for 2 grabbed the attention.
He's got the pace and the bounce as well. With the variations available, along with a good temperament, he is definitely going to be a player to watch out for.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) bowler, Harshal Patel has featured in just 18 IPL games since 2016. Last year, he featured for Delhi Capitals (DC) continuously but would be rather warming the bench for the most part of the tournament.
However, this season, Harshal Patel came with a lot of variations which helped RCB who were in need of bowlers who can cease the run flow and take crucial wickets.
His five-wicket haul in the opening game against Mumbai Indians (MI) gave a trailer of his classy capabilities. He took wickets of Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard and Marco Jansen to finish with the figures of 5/27.
What a dream start of Delhi Capitals (DC) bowler Avesh Khan who sent Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a duck. He had even got the wicket of Faf Du Plessis.
Avesh Khan can not only swing the new ball but also bring those variations when needed. From off cutters, leg cutters to back of the hand slower ones, Avesh will surely prove vital for his side.
He was the third-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) tournament, having picked 14 wickets at an average of a mere 10.64 and a strike rate of 8.57. The numbers speak for themselves.