As the biggest T20 franchise tournament in the world, the Indian Premier League has always wooed the cream of international cricket to its shores.
Away from the established behemoths like Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, the IPL has also been the breeding ground for future stars. The 2020 edition of the tournament has proved to be no different, with several youngsters making their bow.
As the 2020 edition of the IPL enters its business end, we grade how these rookies have performed in their maiden tryst with the competition.
GRADE C
YASHASVI JAISWAL – RAJASTHAN ROYALS
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No youngster was as hyped up as Yashasvi Jaiswal before the IPL started, but it has simply not happened for the prodigy. A lot of his failings in the campaign can be put down to Rajasthan’s constant chopping and changing , though Jaiswal has not really helped his cause with some meek batting displays.
The left-hander has ended up making just three appearances this season, with a scratchy 34 against Delhi Capitals his best showing. Rajasthan’s lack of confidence in his abilities at this age looks clear and he could perhaps have done a better job if he was afforded some more leeway.
As a teenager who came into the IPL on the back of the fastest List A double ton and the most runs in the U19 World Cup, the future did look extremely bright for Jaiswal. There is no doubt that his time in the IPL will come eventually, though the 2020 edition will go down as a wasted opportunity.
JOSH PHILIPPE – ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
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It has not been a happy time for Josh Philippe of late after the young wicketkeeper batsman lost his spot in Australia’s limited-overs setup. The fact he had a poor start to his IPL campaign has not helped matters who was discarded from the RCB playing XI after bagging a duck against Kings XI.
To his credit, the Aussie has done well to bounce back with two decent starts on his return to the team, although both these knocks have come in losses for the franchise.
Whether Bangalore will persist with his services in the final stages of the IPL remains to be seen given they have several options at their disposal for the four overseas slots. The talent is clearly there, and his most recent scores of 33 and 32 show that he is starting to come to grips with the pitches in the UAE.
GRADE B
KARTIK TYAGI – RAJASTHAN ROYALS
The hammering he took at the hands of Chris Gayle will be a harsh reminder to Tyagi of the small margins at the highest level. His economy-rate of nearly 10 might not be the cheapest, but there are many encouraging signs.
Like Bishnoi, Tyagi was another bowler who made a mark for India in the U19 World Cup in South Africa. It was his pace and yorkers which made him such a hit in that competition and those traits have been displayed aplenty in the UAE as well.
While he has leaked runs at times, Tyagi has won many admirers with his energetic displays. He has not been afraid to pitch it short and ruffle batsmen with his bouncers, neither has he shied away from cranking up the pace.
Seven wickets from the teenager have helped him overshadow more senior Rajasthan pacers like Jaydev Unadkat, Varun Aaron and Ankit Rajpoot. Control and accuracy should come with time for a player who is arguably the most promising young pace talent in India at the moment.
GRADE A
RAVI BISHNOI – KINGS XI PUNJAB
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The young wrist-spinner was brought by KXIP on the back of a superb showing in the ICC U19 World Cup earlier this year, and he has come out of the IPL with his reputation enhanced.
Bishnoi has been the pick of the entire crop of rookies this season and has wasted no time in establishing himself as a regular in the playing XI. His 12 wickets so far in the competition puts the 20-year-old among the top spinners in this fray.
More than his wicket-taking abilities, it is Bishnoi’s calmness under pressure which is most impressive. The leggie has been unfazed while facing up to the best batsmen in the world, and has managed to maintain an economy-rate of just over seven runs an over.
To make such a huge splash in his debut IPL campaign is a remarkable achievement for Bishnoi and should help in accelerating his rise at the senior level.
DEVDUTT PADIKKAL – ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
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If Bishnoi has turned heads with his bowling displays, then Devdutt Padikkal has achieved the same result with bat in hand. The left-handed opening batsman was touted for a big campaign ahead of the 2020 edition, and he has certainly justified the hype with a prolific showing.
Only five batsmen have mustered more runs than Padikkal so far, and each of them is an experienced international. The rookie has put his illustrious opening partner Aaron Finch to shame with his consistency and looks destined for a big future with India.
Four half-centuries are proof that Padikkal has the patience to build a long innings. The southpaw has a certain elegance with his batting style which invites comparisons with former India stalwart Yuvraj Singh.
Playing under Virat Kohli’s captaincy at RCB should stand him in good stead with regards to a future India debut.
ARSHDEEP SINGH – KINGS XI PUNJAB
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While he did play three IPL matches in the last edition, it is the first time that Arshdeep Singh has been given a consistent run in the competition. The left-arm seamer has more than earned this display of faith from the KXIP team management and has been a standout performer along with Bishnoi.
Singh’s strength has been his control over the ball, and rarely has the 21-year-old faltered with his lines and lengths. Slower deliveries have been the seamer’s go-to attack in the death overs and his accuracy has been rewarded with nine wickets in eight outings.
His three-wicket burst against Sunrisers Hyderabad was decisive in KXIP being able to defend a low total of just 126 runs. A strong bowling unit at Punjab’s disposal has restricted Singh’s minutes in the playing XI, though he will definitely be earmarked for a more prominent role in the 2021 campaign.
RUTURAJ GAIKWAD – CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
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It looked like Ruturaj Gaikwad’s goose was cooked after he bagged two ducks in three innings to get his IPL campaign under way, but the young opener has come back strongly to send a timely reminder of his talent.
Amid Chennai Super Kings’ disappointing season, Gaikwad has been a breath of fresh air along with England all-rounder Sam Curran. The right-hand batsman has shown his class at just the right time, with three successive half-centuries at the back-end of the tournament.
The timing in Gaikwad’s shots have been superb, while his placement of the ball has been noteworthy as well. With his timely displays of late, Gaikwad has sealed his spot in the playing XI for CSK’s 2021 campaign. It needed Chennai to be knocked out of play-off contention for Gaikwad to get a recall, and he his second coming in the edition is worthy of every praise.
