IPL 2018: 5 uncapped players who might get the selectors' attention this season

The most iconic T20 tournament in the world has begun and it has already got the fans excited. Just like every time, this term too the matches are keeping the spectators at the edge of their seats.

Nail biting moments, sudden turn around of events, decisive last over, all these have now become a regularity in the Indian Premier League.

Fans are always eager to see how the glamorous and big names put up an entertaining show for them. Indian players like Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Bhuvi etc never fail to impress the crowd.

Also, the foreigners, Sunil Narine, AB De Villiers, Kane Williamson and many more, are no less when it comes to the shortest format of cricketing beauty.

If we actually sit to count the list, it would never end! Such is the quality of the players in the IPL.

Though we talked about the obvious so far, let's not forget that IPL has always been a stage where the unknowns can get a shot at fame and thus, make their way into the national squad. Just like every other year, this year too we can see some sparks of real talent.

Let us take a look at five players who might get the Indian selectors' attention this season. Though it might be too soon to judge as it's only the first week of the tournament, we just can't deny these players' flair.

So here we go...

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#5 Mayank Markande (Mumbai Indians)

Mumbai Indians have always produced promising prodigies.

This year too they have come with another major finding: Mayank Markande!

The 20-year-old legspinner has already drawn a lot of positive attention towards himself. After having played two matches so far in this season of the IPL, he has picked three and four wickets against CSK and SRH respectively.

It was his brilliance that saw the Sunrisers stumble despite having to chase a feeble target. The leggie taking, in-form batsman, Dhawan's wicket was a game-changer.

Nevertheless, SRH went onto win the match in the last ball but Markande had done his duty very well.

Although Mumbai Indians have lost both their matches so far, Markande owns the purple cap for the time being.

Markande's bowling style is not extraordinary but he makes ordinary things look extraordinary. Bowling with the perfect length and flight, he lures the batsmen in falling prey to him.

If continued the same way, this lad from Punjab can retain his Purple Cap until the end of the season.

#4 Siddharth Kaul (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Siddharth Kaul alongside Bhuvi has bolstered SRH's bowling attack.

Another promising bowler hailing from Punjab, Siddharth Kaul has impressed everybody with his seam skills.

Being facing competition from fellow teammate and one of India's best pacer presently, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kaul has proven worthy enough to secure his place alongside him in the team.

In the previous edition of the IPL, Siddharth Kaul took an impressive 16 wickets off just 10 matches and thus it's not surprising that Sunrisers fought with Kings XI Punjab at the auctions to retain their pacer.

Over the course, it is evident the way Siddharth has improved himself and his stats show the same.

Just like his headband, Kaul's bowling style is peculiar too. He is a pacer who preferably doesn't go for superfast deliveries. 130-135 is his pace zone but yet Siddharth manages to get what he wants- wickets!

In a pace rich SRH squad, Kaul has managed to find his way in the playing XI despite the team having a strong and equally talented bench strength.

It's about time that the pacer can expect an international call-up.

#3 Deepak Chahar (Chennai Super Kings)

Deepak Chahar's bowling was influential in CSK's season opener against MI

Unlike other players on the list, Deepak Chahar has got a vast experience in the game. The Agra born medium pacer has had his ups and downs in his career, mostly due to injuries.

Chahar's previous seasons in IPL, where he played for Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant, have not been standing out for him, though he did show some sparkles of potential on quite a few occasions.

Following a great 2018, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a major T20 domestic tournament in India, Chahar got selected by the Chennai Super Kings at the IPL auctions.

Though his first match was impressive, he failed to shine in CSK's second game against KKR. Despite this, Deepak seems to be having his skipper, MS Dhoni's, confidence.

A swing talent like him might be handy for the Indian Cricket team down the line. Although, all this depends upon this 25-year-old's performance in this season of the Indian Premier League.

#2 Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

Suryakumar Yadav has got a fair start to the 2018 campaign

Suryakumar Yadav started off his career in a magnificent fashion. He was the starlet of Mumbai team in the Ranji Trophy and was spotted by the IPL scouts for his impressive batting in first-class cricket.

The right-handed batsman began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians and later left the team for KKR.

During his stint at KKR, Yadav was more of a lower middle order batsman who made cameos whenever the situation called for.

Though his average isn't that impressive for a batsman, Yadav's strike rate is something that gives him an edge. Barring the 2017 IPL, he has the strike rate above 135 in every season played so far.

Mumbai Indians bagged Suryakumar Yadav yet again to their side and he now bats at No.4 for the current champions. With 71 runs so far in the tournament this term, he looks promising.

If Yadav is determined to up the ante, there is no way that the selectors can ignore him, at least not in the near future.

#1 Krunal Pandya (Mumbai Indians)

Krunal along with his brother, Hardik, is a great pair of talent for their team, Mumbai Indians.

This all-rounder from Baroda needs no description at all. The Mumbai Indians player has been the crowd favourite and as well as the game-changer ever since he has started featuring in the IPL.

Pandya is a complete package and any team would love to have him on their side. He has been Mumbai's top asset since the beginning of his IPL career.

His stats are incredible when it comes to the Indian Premier League. Pandya ended his 2016 IPL campaign with the strike rate of 191.12 and an economy of 7.57.

The previous edition, where he won the trophy, was no different as the Sr. Pandya excelled yet again with both, bat and the ball.

Pandy failing to get an International call-up yet is called into question quite a few times by fans and pundits.

As per the current situation, no different is Pandya's story. Along with being an explosive middle-order batsman, he is also an exceptional economical bowler.

Considering this MI all-rounder's potential, it seems like it is just a matter of some time until he joins his younger brother Hardik Pandya to play for the national team.

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