5 Indian players who could not live up to their hype in the IPL

3. Saurabh Tiwary

Saurabh Tiwary was a huge disappointment at RCB

In the 2010 season, Saurabh Tiwary came into the limelight after consistently impressive performances for Mumbai Indians. Hailing from Jharkhand, the same place as MS Dhoni, he had modeled almost everything on Dhoni back then including his hairstyle. Just like Dhoni, he is powerful, muscular and can clear the fences very easily.

He was one of the key performers in India’s U-19 World Cup triumph in 2008. He scored 419 runs at a strike-rate of 135.59 and an average of just under 30 in IPL 2010 for Mumbai. He also managed to score three half-centuries in the tournament. Impressed by his showing, RCB signed him for a whopping 1.6 million USD in the 2011 auction. He has never been able to reach the same heights since then and is currently just a fringe player in the Delhi Daredevils side.

Domestic record: 4167 first-class runs in 93 innings at an average of 47.89; highest score – 238

National call up: Yes

National record: 49 runs in 3 ODIs; highest score – 37*

4. Manpreet Gony

Manpreet Gony

In the first edition of the IPL, Manpreet Gony led the CSK bowling attack to the final. With experienced bowlers like Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel alongside, the pacer from Punjab took 17 wickets at an average of 26.05 and economy of 7.38. His showing immediately earned him a national call-up, but he failed to impress in the two ODIs that he played against Hong Kong and Bangladesh. After this, he took only 20 wickets in the next 5 IPL seasons and has gradually faded away from the scene.

While his first-class record, having taken 142 wickets in 46 matches, is not too bad, it is unlikely that he will get a chance in the IPL again.

Domestic record: 142 first-class wickets in 77 innings at an average of 30.93

National call-up: Yes

National record: Two wickets in two ODIs at an economy of 5.84

5. Pradeep Sangwan

Pradeep Sangwan is one of the youngest cricketers to have played in the IPL

In 2009, the Delhi Daredevils topped the IPL table and there were quite a few bright performers in their impressive campaign. Young left-arm seamer Pradeep Sangwan was one of them. Benefiting from the experience of fellow left-arm pacers Ashish Nehra and Dirk Nannes, he grabbed 15 wickets in 13 matches to catch the eyes of critics as well as fans. But he could take only 10 wickets in the next three seasons before testing positive in a drug test during IPL 2013 and getting banned for 18 months.

Domestic record: 128 first-class wickets in 73 innings at an average of 31.68

National call-up: No

In conclusion, the IPL is a platform for the youngsters to show their mettle, but instant attention can be fatal for their careers. They should be tried and tested through playing in domestic cricket before burdening them with national responsibilities. As the famous saying goes, “Form is temporary, class is permanent.” If a youngster is good enough to play at the highest level, he must show consistency at the domestic level first.