IPL 2018: 5 uncapped players who can pack a punch

There is a sense of grandeur attached to the Indian Premier League since a lot of international stars participate in the blockbuster tournament in India. With exciting cricket on the cards, sometimes one tends to get carried away by the aura of a Chris Gayle or a Brendon McCullum winning matches for their respective teams, primarily because they have represented their national sides and are proven match winners at the international stage.

However, the IPL has been a great platform for young and uncapped players too. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal and Hardik Pandya owe a large chunk of their international success to the exposure provided by the IPL.

In the upcoming season of the IPL, many uncapped players will hope to have a good run. Here is a look at 5 uncapped players who can pack a punch this season:

#5 Kamlesh Nagarkoti

The teenage speedster from Rajasthan caught everybody’s attention after his great outing in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Not only did Nagarkoti manage to bowl genuinely quickly at the U-19 level, he was remarkable with his line and length and bowled with great accuracy.

With his athleticism in the field and ability to strike a few big hits lower down the order, Nagarkoti is an asset to any team.

The 18-year-old was the costliest U-19 player at the auctions and was grabbed by the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 3.2 crore.

#4 Cameron Delport

Delport has three T-20 hundreds to his credit

The dashing batsman from South Africa loves to go after the bowlers right from the word go. The left-hander is quite a coveted player in the T20 format and has featured in T20 leagues in England, Australia, West Indies and Pakistan.

Delport will be part of the KKR squad this season - a team which looks short on overseas talent. This would mean Delport might get a few games under his belt and given the formidable T20 record that he has (3 T20 hundreds and 17 half centuries at a strike rate of 138.48), he could very well make a difference.

#3 Prithvi Shaw

Shaw has been rated very highly by cricket experts

Prithvi Shaw, who has been rated very highly by cricket experts, will have a huge platform in front of him to showcase his talent. Shaw has made headlines ever since he was 14, when he compiled a record-breaking innings in the Harris Shield Tournament.

The top order batsman, who captained the U-19 team to a World Cup title earlier this year, also scored a century in both his Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy debut and has consistently scored runs whenever an opportunity has come his way.

Prithvi will feature for the Delhi Daredevils in his debut season in the IPL.

#2 Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill scored a double hundred on his U-16 debut

Prithvi’s deputy in the U-19 World Cup, Shubman Gill was India’s leading run scorer in the tournament. Gill has been consistently excellent with the bat and is known to possess a hunger for big runs. The top order batsman from Punjab scored a half-century on his first-class debut and a century in his next game.

Even on his U-16 debut, Shubman scored an unbeaten double hundred and made his intentions clear. The winner of the best junior cricketer award from the BCCI for two successive years, Gill will feature in Kolkata Knight Riders' plans this season.

#1 Jofra Archer

This would be Archer's first stint in India

One of the most exciting talents in world cricket is Jofra Archer. Archer, who has compiled fascinating numbers with Sussex, had an outstanding season in the Big Bash League.

Although this will be Archer’s first stint in India, a good IPL season will be a massive boost to his reputation in the international circuit. The Caribbean born all-rounder can be handy with the bat as well, apart from the magic he produces with the ball.

Archer will play for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018.