In this article we will read about five lesser known players to watch out for in the tournament who have the potential to be next big thing in cricket. IPL is the best platform for youngsters to perform and become superstar overnight and make a breakthrough in their respective international teams. The auction has also seen many youngsters being purchased for hefty amount. There were many uncapped and unrecognized players who were picked in the auction. Every team picks young talents after seeing their records in the domestic level.
Chetan Sakariya
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Rajasthan Royals purchased the young left-arm pacer for a final bid of INR 1.2 crores after bidding a war with RCB.
Playing in the Cooch Behar Trophy, he picked up 18 wickets in six games, including 5 for 84 against Karnataka Under-19. During the 2018-19 season, Sakariya got selected for the Syed Mushtaq Trophy but didn’t a chance in the XI. Later, he made his List A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy but played only one game. The big break came during the Ranji Trophy. He took a five-for on debut, played till the final and ended the season with 29 wickets from eight matches. This year playing for Saurashtra, he picked up 12 wickets in just five matches.
Harishankar Reddy
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After an impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021, Chennai Super Kings purchased the young bowler for his base price of INR 20 lakhs. Under the veterans of Chennai he might find a way to become a new household name in the IPL 2021.
The right-arm medium pacer made his debut for Andhra Pradesh in 2018 and thus far has represented the state in 13 T20s. In 13 T20s, Harishankar has picked up 19 wickets at an economy rate of 8.34 and an average of 19.3. The 22-year-old has featured in 5 List-A games too scalping 8 wickets at an economy rate of 5.03 and an average of 25.4.
Marco Jansen
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Mumbai Indians picked Marco Jansen for his base price of INR 20 lakhs. Mumbai was the lone bidder for the young pacer at the auction.
He is from South Africa and he has experience of playing four T20 matches. He got an opportunity to make his List A debut for North West Province in the 2017–18 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge. Jansen made his first-class debut for North West Province in the CSA 3-day Provincial Cup 2018-19. He has played 12 matches and picked up 52 wickets. He also scored two fifties in 21 times that he has batted. In List A cricket, he has played 13 matches, picking up 16 wickets. He get a call-up for the South African team which toured Pakistan recently. He didn’t get a Test cap but definitely got some experience with the national team.
Shahrukh Khan
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Punjab Kings bought the 25-year-old all-rounder for a whooping INR 5.25 crores. He has been known for his big-hitting skills in the domestic circuit.
He made his List A debut on 27 February 2014, for Tamil Nadu in the 2013–14 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy on 6 December 2018. Shahrukh was part of the victorious Tamil Nadu team which won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year. In 21 List A matches, he has 341 runs with an average of 42.62 and a strike-rate of 120. In T20s, his strike rate goes up to 132.
Mohammed Azharuddeen
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Royal Challengers Bangalore bid for the young wicketkeeper-batsman for his base price of INR 20 lakhs.
He is someone who can bat at almost any position. He can be the option for opening pair. He smashed a brilliant century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2021 against Mumbai side at the Wankhede Stadium, the 26-year-old player scored 137 runs from just 52 balls. Azharuddeen featured in 5 games for Kerala amassing 214 runs at an average of 53.50 and a stunning strike-rate of 194.54. He made his Twenty20 debut on 2 January 2016 in the 2015–16 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
