IPL 2018: 5 overseas players who can be dark horses in the tournament

The IPL has become the biggest platform for youngsters and relatively unknown players to exhibit their talent under the international limelight. They even fetch hefty sums at the player auctions for the same.

Over the years we have seen players like Shaun Marsh, Sunil Narine, and Rashid Khan who turned into dark horses and played a key role for their respective IPL teams.

Here are the five players who could impress in IPL 2018 with their performances:

---

#5 Sandeep Lamichhane

17-year-old Sandeep Lamichhane became the first Nepali player to be drafted into the IPL after its mega-auction in January 2018. He was picked up by Delhi Daredevils for a sum of Rs 20 lakhs.

In the ICC under-19 World Cup 2016, he was the leading wicket-taker for Nepal, with as many as 14 wickets in just six games. He was also the player of the tournament in 2018 WCL Division, where his performance with the ball set up Nepal for a historic entry in the World Cup Qualifiers.

The youngster has been mentored by former Australian Captain, Michael Clarke as well.

#4 Jason Behrendorff

This seamer can create a storm in IPL 2018

Jason Behrendorff is a tall left-arm fast bowler with the ability to swing the cricket ball both ways. He is adept at extracting bounce from all types of cricketing surfaces. He is an all-format bowler and can create an impact on every match with his consistency.

He has scalped 57 wickets in 40 T20 matches at an economy rate of 7.19, which is absolutely brilliant in the shortest format of the game. He was bought by Mumbai Indians at the auction for a price of Rs. 1.5 crore.

The left-arm pacer has also played T20 cricket for Australia, wherein he picked 4 wickets in 2 matches at an outstanding economy rate of 6.50.

#3 Mujeeb Ur Rahman

This bowler from Afghanistan is creating waves in international cricket

At just 16 years of age, Mujeeb Ur Rahman is capable of bowling off-spin and mixing it up with the occasional leg-spinning deliveries along with the googly. He was the highest wicket-taker in the youth bilateral ODI series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh last year, where he picked 17 wickets.

He carried his form in the U-19 World Cup this year, where his four-wicket haul against New Zealand helped Afghanistan qualify for the semifinal of the tournament. He has also played for his national side in ODI cricket, where he has affected 24 dismissals in just 10 matches.

He was picked by Kings XI Punjab for a huge amount of Rs 4 crore in the auction.

#2 Cameron Delport

He can turn into the all-rounder KKR will rely on

Cameron Delport is a left-handed South African batsman and is all set to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders this season. He was sold to the franchise for a price Rs 30 lakh, which was an absolute steal for someone of his calibre.

He has played in various cricketing leagues across the world and now has a solid resume to his name in T20 cricket.

In the 139 T20s he has played, Delport has scored 3224 runs at an average of 26.42 and a strike-rate of 138.54.

He is also a medium-pace bowler who has scalped 48 T20 wickets with an economy rate of 7.59. He is the kind of player who helps maintain the balance of a cricket side.

He played a wonderful innings of 109 runs at 59 balls in the Natwest T20 Blast last year, which powered Leicestershire to the quarterfinal of the tournament.

#1 Jofra Archer

He was in incredible touch throughout the BBL this year

Rajasthan Royals paid a whopping sum of Rs 7.2 crore for Jofra Archer in the auction for IPL 2018.

This bowling all-rounder became an overnight sensation in the Big Bash League this year. His dangerous pace with the ball and big-hitting prowess with the bat make him a hot prospect for any T20 franchise in league cricket.

In BBL 2018, he claimed 16 wickets in just 12 matches with an economy rate of 7.96. His lower-order capability with the bat is evident from his career strike rate, which is as high as 143.38.

This all-round ability will make him a valuable asset for the Rajasthan Royals. He is also a quick fielder and has some breathtaking catches to his name already.