10 players to watch out for in the 2015-16 Ranji season

Reigning champions Karnataka have a number of talented players to watch out forThe Ranji Trophy caravan for the 2015-2016 season is well and truly underway. The tournament has provided the national team with a number of talented players over the years while it also provides the platform for the young upcoming cricketers to hog the limelight. The next few months will be crucial for some players in staking their claim for a spot in the national team. So let’s have a look at 10 players in this season who will be on the radar of the selectors and cricket fans.

#10 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav is unique among the upcoming spinners in India

Chinaman(bowling wrist spin from left hand) is an art that is practised by very few in the game. Kuldeep Yadav, who turns out for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy, is one such player and that in itself gives him an edge over his competitors.

But he will have to fight for his spot in the UP team because they already have the sevices of Piyush Chawla as their frontline spinner and the seamer friendly pitches might not allow the side to play 2 spinners. The Indian selectors though would want him to play a major part of the first-class season so that they can gauge his performances as he is one player surely for the future.

#9 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja will be looking forward to the Ranji season

This Ranji trophy season will be an extremely important one for Ravindra Jadeja. A part of the ODI World Cup 2015 team, Jadeja had been struggling even before the tournament with his form and has found himself out of the national team since.

His bowling has taken a beating after the injury to his shoulder. Jadeja will be looking forward to this Ranji Trophy to make a comeback in the Indian team. On the flat pitches in Rajkot, he should score heaps of runs but he should also pick up a lot of wickets to impress the selectors.

#8 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj can stage a comeback to the national team with an impressive domestic campaign

The star of the 2007 T20 World Cup & the 2011 World Cup winning team, Yuvraj Singh is a proven match-winner. Though he has faded away from the international scene over the last year or so, a season with heaps of runs can still put him in the reckoning of the selectors.

Yuvraj will undoubtedly have his eyes set on the T-20 World Cup next year. Though his chances are bleak, a sensational first-class season can still open the doors for him. Surely the fans would love to see one of their favourite cricketers don the Indian jersey one more time.

#7 Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson is one of the strongest long-term candidates to replace MS Dhoni

Sanju Samson shot into limelight with his stint with the Rajasthan Royals. His impressive show with the IPL franchise impressed a lot of cricket pundits. The young wicketkeeper-batsman from Kerala was also appointed skipper of his side for the new season.

With MS Dhoni’s career seemingly in its twilight, Samson can push his case ahead in front of the selectors with an impressive show in the Ranji trophy this season. He will look to lead from the front as he attempts to force himslef into the national team.

#6 Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is a quality batsman

Shreyas Iyer came into the spotlight with the IPL auction in 2015. Picked for 2.6 crores by Delhi Daredevils, he seemed a costly buy for a rookie. But he was a consistent performer for them with a string of good scores.

What played a part in him earning that hefty amount in the IPL was a great domestic season with Mumbai. He is definitely a talent to watch out for in the future and he would surely like to score plenty of runs in this domestic season to strengthen his case to play at the highest level.

#5 Unmukt Chand

Unmukt Chand can break into the Indian team if he has a great Ranji season

Unmukt Chand was the captain of the Under-19 team that won the World Cup in 2012 at Townsville. An opening batsman for Delhi, Chand has been repeatedly picked by the selectors this year to lead the India A team which shows the selectors’ belief in his talent.

Despite his credentials, Chand has not yet had a great season in the Ranji trophy. He has not scored enough runs to stake a claim in the national side but a prolific season this year could strengthen his claim to become a part of the national team.

#4 Rishi Dhawan

Rishi Dhawan can replace Stuart Binny as the seam-bowling all-rounder

Rishi Dhawan is arguably the best all-rounder in India’s domestic circuit. His all-round abilities presents an ideal scenario for him as India are desperately in need of someone to perform that role on a consistent basis. He has been a consistent performer in the Ranji Trophy for the last few years and he would like to continue his good showing in the domestic tournament.

Dhawan has been a part of India A teams which should give him the courage to perform well this season. He is one player who can push for the number seven spot in both the Test and ODI teams with a great first-class season.

#3 Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa needs a great Ranji season

Robin Uthappa has been a prolific run scorer for Karnataka in their last two campaigns when they were crowned champions. A player with immense talent, Uthappa will want to push for a spot at least in the Indian T-20 team for the World Cup next year.

Uthappa recently made a comeback to the T20 team in the series against Zimbabwe and performed decently. But if he wants to remain in the selectors’ radar, he will have to perform in the Ranji Trophy.

#2 Karun Nair

Karun Nair is one of the most promising youngsters in India

The talented batsman from Karnataka was a late addition in the Indian Test team for the Sri Lankan series which shows that selectors have a keen eye on his performances. A breakthrough season this year can push him ahead in the race for a spot in the Indian team.

Karun had a mediocre season last year till the Ranji trophy finals when he rose to the occasion to score a brilliant triple hundred. He would surely want to score heaps of runs this year in the Ranji Trophy to boost his chances to play at the highest level.

#1 Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha can be the third spinner against South Africa

Once an integral part of the Indian Test setup, Pragyan Ojha has been out of the team for quite some time. On away tours, he was not considered a first choice spinner and then he had problems with his action.

Now bowling with a remodelled action, he will want to prove a point to the selectors. Harbhajan Singh underperformed in the first Test against Sri Lanka and Ravindra Jadeja is not a visible option in the longer format of the game, so the third spinner’s spot is up for grabs.

If Ojha performs in the Ranji Trophy, he might get selected for the South African series, which is a great incentive for him to perform.