Best uncapped XI of IPL 2015

Over the 8 seasons of the Indian Premier League, a number of young Indian players have been unearthed and given a chance to shine on the global stage. Playing in front of big crowds alongside international superstars, these players get tremendous exposure and become well-equipped to handle the challenges of the highest level provided they make the cut.

This season, too, there was no shortage of young Indian talent on display. While a few had already played in the IPL before, there were also a few who were playing for the first time but managed to grasp what is essentially a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Here’s the best uncapped XI of IPL 2015:

(Note – Since a few of the players’ numbers weren’t as consistent as one would like, their overall ability has also been taken into account)

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer finished the season as DD’s leading run-getter

Delhi Daredevils’ Shreyas Iyer came into this IPL with a growing reputation of being one of the most talented young Indian batsmen going around, and the 20-year-old certainly justified that tag as he finished on top of DD’s run-scoring charts with 439 runs from 14 matches at an average just a shade under 35.

In a side that was desperately looking for contributions from their Indian batsmen, Iyer, most definitely, stepped up to the plate and gave enough of a glimpse of his enormous ability. His run at the IPL can’t be considered a flash in the pan either, having racked up 809 runs at an average of 50.56 during the last Ranji Trophy season for Mumbai.

Mandeep Singh

With the acquisition of Mandeep Singh prior to the start of IPL 2015, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) knew that they were getting a player with enormous ability. While he would have perhaps liked to make substantial contributions on a more consistent basis, he came to the fore on a couple of important occasions and played more than a helping hand in RCB reaching the playoffs for the first time in 4 years.

One such occasion was the eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, when he came in with RCB reeling at 46/2 and combined with AB de Villiers for a brilliant 113-run partnership to eventually see them through.

Unable to fulfill his potential with his previous side, Kings XI Punjab, he can hopefully make amends for that and push for higher honours in the years to come.

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson

For a while now, Sanju Samson has been considered to be at the forefront of a wave of young Indian batting talent coming through. With that being the case, the fact that Samson’s 204 runs this season came at an average hovering around 20 is a tad disappointing. However, on a more encouraging note, his glove work was quite tidy right through the season, showing that he could be a contender for the wicketkeeping role once MS Dhoni calls it quits for the national side.

As far as his batting is concerned, his innings of 76 from 46 balls against Mumbai Indians showed what he is capable of when at his best. It is now up to him to make sure that he delivers on a more consistent basis next season.

Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav

While Suryakumar Yadav’s numbers this IPL season might not have been all that impressive, scoring 157 runs at an average below 20, you have to take cognizance of the fact that he often found himself coming lower down the order where he had to get going right from the outset.

Yet, he had some handy cameos in the first half of the season in particular and enhanced his reputation as being one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball in the Indian domestic circuit. If he can bring greater consistency into his game, an India T20 call-up might not be that far away.

Hardik Pandya

A largely unknown commodity coming into this IPL, Hardik Pandya’s performances over the course of this IPL season have been fairly impressive. Although he was initially in the side for his bowling capabilities, it’s with the bat in hand that he has made some significant contributions and thereby earned a regular place in the line-up.

A case in point is when in a must-win game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to qualify for the playoffs, Pandya smashed a brilliant 61 off a mere 31 deliveries against the likes of Morne Morkel and Sunil Narine to help them narrowly get over the line.

Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda was hugely impressive for RR

Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Deepak Hooda should definitely be in contention for the Young Player of the Tournament award, having scored his runs at an outstanding strike rate of 158.94 this season. His innings of 30 from 15 balls and 54 from 25 balls in the early part of the season, in particular, gave a fleeting glimpse of his extraordinary hitting ability and he should only get better in the years to come.

While he would be disappointed with the fact that he faded away as the tournament wore on, one would do well to remember that he is only 20 years old and was playing in his biggest tournament till date.

Pawan Negi

Left-arm spinner Pawan Negi has given Chennai Super Kings the ideal balance with his all-round capabilities this season. He might not be a big turner of the ball, but he is fairly accurate with his line and length and has complemented the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja well while also coming up with the odd cameo with the bat in hand.

With the Delhi-born Negi being only 22 years old, he should only improve as he gets more playing time at the top level under his belt.

Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel has been a member of RCB since 2012, but it was only this year that he showed his real worth to the side. A bit-part player in previous seasons, he took 17 wickets from 15 games at an economy rate of 7.48 and came up with crucial breakthroughs at several stages in their campaign.

While having an in-form Mitchell Starc alongside would’ve undoubtedly aided him, he has certainly made massive improvements as a bowler and made himself into a regular for the franchise.

Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma

A number of young Indian bowlers impressed in the IPL this season, but none were more impressive than Kings XI Punjab’s Sandeep Sharma. With the ability to swing the ball both ways, he troubled the best of batsmen and got wickets with the new ball on a regular basis.

While Punjab had a really poor season, Sandeep did his reputation no harm as he took 13 wickets from 14 matches and it won’t be a surprise if we soon see him push for national honours.

Anureet Singh

Another Kings XI Punjab bowler who can be quite proud of the season he had is Anureet Singh. A hard toiler in domestic cricket in recent years, Anureet took 15 wickets during the season and proved to be a bowler who his captain, George Bailey, can bank upon to deliver.

While his economy rate of 9 was on the expensive side, he deserves some leeway considering the fact that a majority of his overs came during the most difficult phases of a T20 innings.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal has been brilliant for RCB for the last two seasons

For two seasons now, Yuzvendra Chahal has not shied away from the responsibility entrusted upon him of being RCB’s frontline spinner. He has not only helped exert pressure on the batsmen with dot balls during the middle overs of an innings but also picked up crucial wickets along the way.

In 2014, he took 12 wickets from 14 matches and has backed that up with an even better season – finishing on top of the wicket-taking charts for RCB with 23 scalps.

Considering the dearth of spin bowling talent across the country at the moment, Chahal might not be far off from getting a chance at the international level in the not too distant future.