IPL 2020 has witnessed some magnificent performances by young and uncapped Indian players with some potentially staking a claim for a future Indian cricket team spot.
IPL 2020 is almost nearing an end with all 56 league games being completed. The tournament has seen some historic firsts, with the team finishing on 12 points ending up last. For the first time in 10 years, two teams on 14 points have qualified for the playoffs. The intensity shown by all teams in the race for the playoffs was simply unbelievable. There were some great performances by individual members but what really shone through was the performance of the young Indian uncapped players. They demonstrated a level of confidence and skill that has grabbed the eye of the fans as well as the national selectors. One of the players has already been selected in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming tour of Australia. These players have once again found the platform of the Indian Premier League as the ideal starting point for bigger things in their career. Here are a list of young, uncapped players who have shown their mettle in IPL 2020. In IPL 2020, for the first time, two uncapped players have scored more than 400 runs and it is only a good sign for bigger things to come in future editions of the IPL or Indian cricket.
1. Arshdeep Singh IPL 2020
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Arshdeep Singh picked nine wickets in eight matches as the six feet-three inches tall bowler showed great promise to take the prized wickets of Rohit Sharma, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell among others. While he might have remained under the shadow of Mohammed Shami and Chris Jordan, this 21-year-old made his presence felt and showed that he definitely possesses the talent to perform at the international level as well. In the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, his spell in the death overs resulted in Sunrisers Hyderabad losing seven wickets for 14 runs as Kings XI Punjab won by 12 runs. (Image credit: Twitter)
2. Rahul Tewatia Rajasthan Royals
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Rahul Tewatia will forever be immortalised for his magnificent knock against Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah. Having struggled to 8 off 19 balls, Rahul Tewatia smashed five sixes in one over bowled by Sheldon Cottrell as Rajasthan Royals did the unthinkable and secured a tense win over Kings XI Punjab. His 31-ball 53 helped Rajasthan Royals achieve the highest successful chase in IPL history. Tewatia once again showed his mettle in a crucial chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad. While he has scored 255 runs in 11 innings, he also picked up 10 wickets and impressed all with his all-round cricketing abilities. IPL 2020 could be the springboard for greater success in the Indian cricket team. (Image credit: Twitter)
3. Ruturaj Gaikwad CSK
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He was one of the players who was infected with coronavirus. When he was rushed back into the Chennai Super Kings team, he failed and struggled. But, on his second chance, he sparkled. Ruturaj Gaikwad was one of the bright points in Chennai Super Kings' dismal campaign. The right-handed batsman played six innings and scored 204 runs at an average of 51. His runs, including three brilliant half centuries, helped the three-time champions regain some lost pride and end the tournament on a high. After the end of the IPL 2020, even MS Dhoni had high praise for him. “He's one of the most talented players around. What makes it difficult is he's not somebody who speaks a lot. So, sometimes it becomes difficult for the management to gauge a player,” said Dhoni. (Image credit: Twitter)
4. Devdutt Padikkal RCB
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Devdutt Padikkal, the 20-year-old Royals Challengers Bangalore (RCB) player has so far scored 472 runs, including five half-centuries, in 14 innings. These runs have come at an impressive strike rate of over 125. Padikkal has been simply brilliant at the top of the batting order for Royal Challengers Bangalore and his form is a good sign for India’s talent pool. Having succeeded in the domestic circuit and now in the IPL, it is only a matter of time before Devdutt Padikkal knocks on the doors of Indian cricket team selection. (Image credit: Twitter)
5. Varun Chakravarthy IPL 2020
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Varun Chakravarthy and his mystery spinners have been at the forefront of Kolkata Knight Riders' success in IPL 2020. The architect-turned-cricketer picked up 17 wickets in 13 matches and was one of the headline makers of the tournament. His crowning moment was his haul of 5/20 which he took against Delhi Capitals as Kolkata Knight Riders broke their losing streak against them. Owing to his brilliant performance, Chakravarthy broke into the Indian T20I squad that will tour Australia in December. (Image credit: Twitter)
