IPL 2018: 5 uncapped Indian pacers who have been impressive

IPL 2018 has been a blockbuster hit as the teams are giving it everything to win the trophy resulting in nail-biting encounters and a sumptuous dose of entertainment to the viewers. The sponsorers, franchises, Star India Pvt Ltd who owns IPL broadcasting rights and the BCCI have left no stone unturned to make this IPL more interactive and interesting for the fans. As a result of this, the IPL viewership is at an all-time high.

But the biggest gainer from this year's IPL is again - Indian Cricket.

Every year new talents are unearthed in IPL. Uncapped young Indian players who have the zeal and will to put in all the efforts have contributed heavily to team's IPL success over the past 10 years. Having talented Indian individuals in the team has become a well-tested success mantra for the teams.

Let us have a look at 5 uncapped Indian pacers who have been impressive this season.

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#5 Avesh Khan - Delhi Daredevils

Avesh Khan has performed well for Delhi Daredevils

A tall and strong bowler who can swing the ball both ways, generate steep bounce and do all that at a lightning speed of above 140 kmph, Avesh Khan has all the traits of becoming an ace pace bowler for India. Avesh made his debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2013-14 season and also represented India in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2014. Unfortunately, the MP lad played just a couple of games in that World Cup. Recognising his abilities, selectors gave him another chance in the U-19 World Cup 2016. Avesh did not disappoint and grabbed the opportunity with both hands returning as the highest wicket-taker for India with 12 wickets.

Indian selectors have been keen on grooming him along with a few others like Ankit Rajpoot and Basil Thampi. All three traveled to South Africa with the Indian squad to bowl in the nets during India's tour of South Africa 2017-18.

Avesh Khan was a part of RCB in IPL 2017 but could not prove his bowling prowess as he played in just a single game that season. He was picked up by DD picked in the IPL 2018 auctions. Although DD's performance this year has been a rather forgettable one, Avesh Khan's bowling has made the DD fans and fast bowling aficionados to tune in while DD is playing. Picking up 4 wickets in the 5 matches that he has played, Avesh is bowling real quick and looks to be in good rhythm. He has clocked the speeds of 149 Kmph a couple of times.

#4 Deepak Chahar - Chennai Super Kings

Deepak Chahar has been a wicket-taking option for CSK

Back in 2008, a 16-year old Deepak Chahar who aspired to play for India was disappointed as then the director of Rajasthan Cricket Academy Greg Chappell snubbed his fast bowling skills. The iron-willed youngster persisted and burst into the frame when he wrecked havoc in the Hyderabad batting lineup picking up 8 wickets for 10 runs in his debut innings bundling out Hyderabad for the lowest ever score of 21 in Indian domestic cricket. With 40 wickets in that season, he bagged a lucrative IPL contract when Rajasthan Royals signed him. Unfortunately, his career came swooping down with a string of injuries and illnesses.

Chahar fought those injuries and gained back his fitness and rhythm. He proved it to the selectors by picking up 19 wickets in the T20 Syed Mushtaq Trophy 2018. CSK picked him up in the IPL 2018 auctions. So far Chahar has been impressive with his line, length, pace and swing earning 6 wickets in 7 matches that he played.

Head coach Stephen Flemming too is all praise for Chahar and sees him as a wicket-taking option. Chahar's deceptive outswingers bowled at close to 140kmph has troubled the opposition openers. Although Chahar did go for plenty against KKR and KXIP, impressive bowling performances against MI, RR, and SRH means that Flemming and the captain cool MS Dhoni are happy with his performance.

#3 Ankit Rajpoot - Kings XI Punjab

Ankit Rajpoot has lead KXIP to victories in a couple of matches

Ankit Rajpoot who hails from Uttar Pradesh made his first-class debut in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season as a 19-year old. A hit-the-deck-hard bowler, Rajpoot shined in his debut season picking 31 wickets - second highest wicket-taker for UP that season. With Venkatesh Prasad as UP's bowling coach for a couple years, Rajpoot, like a sincere student, absorbed and implemented whatever he was taught by Prasad.

With a dearth of good Indian pacers during this period saw Rajpoot earning an IPL contract from CSK for IPL 2013. He was a bit below par and was replaced by Mohit Sharma after first few games. Sharma bowled exceedingly well cementing his place in the side. Rajpoot's career graph dwindled as he had a poor run in the following domestic seasons as well but the gritty pacer did not lose his focus. Finally, the 2016 Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy proved to be a career-changing tournament for him as he became the third highest wicket-taker that season and was picked up by KKR the same year.

After performing reasonably well for KKR in the two seasons IPL 2016 and 2017, he joined the KXIP for IPL 2018. Picking up 8 wickets in just 5 matches at an economy rate of 8.05, Rajpoot has been instrumental in KXIP's success this season. He bowled a match-winning spell of 2-23 in 4 overs against the DD. He also bagged the first five-wicket haul of this year's IPL demolishing the SRH batting lineup with unbelievable figures of 5-14 in his quota of 4 overs. In both the matches, he won the man-of-the-match award.

#2 Siddharth Kaul - Sunrisers Hyderabad

Siddharth Kaul has become one of SRH's best bowler

'If the opportunity doesn't knock, build a door' and the 27-year old skiddy and shrewd pacer from Punjab Siddharth Kaul is doing exactly this since past 2 years. Indian cricket fans got the first glimpse of Siddharth Kaul's talent in the 2008 U-19 World Cup where he showcased his bowling skills picking up 10 wickets in 5 games leading India to World Cup victory.

But the joy was short-lived as a host of injuries derailed the Punjab-express. He regained full fitness by the year 2012 and soon became the spearhead of Punjab bowling lineup.

He suffered a poor run of form in IPL 2013 and 2014 where he played for DD. He joined the SRH setup in 2016 but remained benched for the entire season. IPL 2017 was a breakthrough year for Kaul as he was thrust into the limelight after picking up 16 wickets in 10 matches. He has blossomed under the mentorship of SRH head coach Tom Moody and has been SRH's pick of the bowler this year as well picking up 13 wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of just 7.50.

Kaul's ability to absorb pressure and bowl well in crunch situations would have surely forced the selectors to take notice.

#1 Shivam Mavi - Kolkata Knight Riders

Shivam Mavi put in impressive performances in the U19 World Cup

A pair of menacing young Indian fast bowlers troubling the Australian batsmen with their raw pace in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2018 is a sight every Indian cricket fan remembers, cherishes and feels proud of. Two talented and resolute pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti constantly clocking 145+ kmph and hurrying the Australian batsmen use to facing pace proves that Indian cricket has come a long way from being criticized for not being able to produce enough fast bowlers.

Their outstanding performances in the U-19 World Cup reaped rich fruits as both of them bagged lucrative IPL contracts. Unfortunately, Nagarkoti was ruled out from the tournament due to an injury even before the start of the tournament.

But Shivam Mavi has played 7 matches for KKR this season and has piqued the interest of many cricket enthusiasts. With a rhythmic run-up and a bowling action which seems to have all the mechanics correct, Mavi has been hitting the speeds in excess of 140 Kmph consistently. Mavi has picked up 3 wickets in 7 matches with an economy rate of 9.65. His figures don't look impressive on paper but Mavi is not afraid to attack and attempts to pick up wickets thus leaking runs.

Grooming and persisting with such talented youngsters is the key to get the best out of them and Dinesh Kartik - KKR skipper, and the team management do understand this. Mavi could prove to be instrumental in KKR's success this IPL.