4 new mystery bowlers IPL teams may try to target in the 2019 auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has provided a platform for many young talented players to exhibit their skills to the world. India might not have unearthed a talent like Jasprit Bumrah had the IPL been not existed. The league has been acting as a launchpad for multiple international and domestic stars since its inception in 2008.

IPL teams have always shown an affinity towards mystery bowlers. While the likes of Bumrah, Lasith Malinga and Mujeeb ur Rahman succeeded on the big stage, players like Shivil Kaushik and Kamran Khan couldn't convert the expectations into performances.

Here is a list of four new mystery bowlers who could attract interesting bids from IPL teams in the upcoming auction.

#4 Kevin Koththigoda - Sri Lanka

Kevin Koththigoda got into the spotlight during his Under-19 Asia campaign in Malaysia. The 20-year-old Sri Lankan wrist-spinner is another unorthodox bowler from the island nation whose action is similar to that of Paul Adams.

The beauty though is that Koththigoda had never seen Paul Adams bowl. He has developed his action naturally, under the guidance of his coach.

Former Sri Lanka 'A' opener Dhammika Sudarshana said, "Kevin has a very unusual action. It's like that of Paul Adams. Initially, he was struggling with the length as he couldn't see the pitch, but he has improved tremendously."

Despite making his debut last year, Koththigoda couldn't make inroads into the international circuit. He is just 20 years old though, and is only going to improve. With Sri Lanka struggling in international cricket, he may find his place in the national team soon.

Leg-spinners have been fairly successful in the IPL. All the teams will keep tabs on him during the auction as he can bring an unknown factor to the bowling unit.

Here is a video on Kevin's unique bowling action.

#3 Kamindu Mendis - Sri Lanka

Kamindu Mendis can bowl with both arms

Kamindu Mendis is ambidextrous and can bowl with both arms.

The 20-year-old spinner made his international debut against England at home recently. He impressed everyone with his bowling performance during England's tour game against the Sri Lankan Board XI. He bowled five deliveries to Eoin Morgan with his right arm before changing to left-arm for Joe Root.

Mendis' unique skill will come handy in all the formats. In Test matches, he can bowl either left or right arm depending on location of the rough patches on the pitch. Similarly, his ambidextrous ability will be helpful in restricting the batsmen's attacking onslaughts by making them play against the spin all the time.

Mendis is a good batsman in the middle-order who can score runs at a healthy strike-rate. He is an asset to have in any team and will only get better as he gains more exposure.

The IPL teams would want to have him in their team to bring stability to their playing 11.

#2 V Athisayaraj Davidson - India

V Athisayaraj Davidson is nicknamed Tamil Nadu's Lasith Malinga

The rookie Tamil Nadu fast bowler narrowly missed a chance to represent Mumbai Indians last season. However, Athisayaraj is determined to make it into the IPL this season.

He has had an impressive 2018 domestic season. He started the year with an impressive display in the Mushtaq Ali tournament, taking 12 wickets from his nine games with best figures of 5/30.

Athisayaraj's TNPL performance has put back him in the spotlight again. He is the second leading wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 13 wickets from just seven games at an astonishing strike rate of claiming a wicket from every 12 balls.

His impressive performance in the two shorter format tournaments suggest that he is not just one-season wonder.

Athisayaraj is fondly called Tamil Nadu's Malinga. It is his slingy bowling action and his accuracy in bowling yorkers that have gained him a comparison with the Sri Lankan legend.

#1 Varun Chakravathi - India

Varun is another talent unearthed by TNPL

Varun Chakravathi is another on the impressive list of new mystery bowlers who could garner attention from various IPL teams during the auction.

Varun played an important role in Madurai Panthers’ maiden title triumph at the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Premier League. The lanky spinner, who can mix leg-cutters and carrom balls with his regular off-spin deliveries, was a major threat to opposition teams throughout the tournament.

Varun took nine wickets from the tournament at an impressive average and economy rate of 20.8 and 4.70 respectively. His ability to fox batsmen with his variations was lauded by many experts who witnessed his bowling during the tournament.

Former India leg-spinner and famous commentator L. Sivaramakrishnan said, “Varun looked promising. He was accurate and displayed his variety. He has a high-arm action which is essential for sending down the carrom ball and the leg-cutter. And he was getting his off-spinners to bite off the surface.”

Varun rose to fame in a flash as he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Tamil Nadu this week. Indian spinners are hot property in IPL tournaments and he may even trigger an auction war this time.