IPL 2018: 5 uncapped players who can become match-winners for their teams

In about a week's time, another installment of the biggest cricketing extravaganza, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to hit the grounds running. The 11th edition of the Indian fiesta will see many new things which have not been implemented in the tournament before, but one thing that will remain the same is IPL's propensity to unearth the hidden gems.

IPL is not only about the assemblage of all the big names in world cricket under one roof. It is also about the uncapped Indian players, with their unadulterated talent, rubbing shoulders with the greats of the game. History will testify that IPL has given India many uncut diamonds, who were previously hidden, a chance to shine.

Many uncapped players like Yuzvendra Chahal and Hardik Pandya have used the IPL to showcase their aptitude, and are now regular members of the Indian team.

Today we look at the 5 uncapped players, who can become match-winners for their respective franchises, and might don the blue jersey in the years to come.

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#5 Kamlesh Nagarkoti

A few months ago, only a handful of people, who closely followed the U19 circuit knew the name of Kamlesh Nagarkoti. But the 18-year-old from Barmer, Rajasthan grabbed the limelight in the ICC U19 World Cup, which was held earlier this year. The Indian fans often complained about the country's ineptitude to produce quality fast bowlers, and now they have got one in Nagarkoti, a bowler for whom bowling over 140 kmph is just a cakewalk.

In the 6 matches he has played in the U19 World Cup, Nagarkoti has picked up 9 wickets. Not only his knack of picking up wickets but his economy rate is equally commendable, which is as low as 3.48 runs per over.

IPL will be a different ball game for him, as he will be bowling to the likes of Kohlis and Rohits not to Jason Sanghas. But if morning actually shows the day, we have got our future pace commander. Bought by Kolkata Knight Riders, he will be bowling alongside one of the greatests of the modern era, if not the greatest, Mitchell Starc. He will surely have a big role to play if KKR wants to lift the trophy for the third time.

#4 Ishan Kishan

The 19-year-old from Jharkhand got his first shot at the IPL in 2015, but he couldn't do what he needed to, to make the headlines. But last year was his breakthrough year, where he amassed 277 runs in 11 games. Playing for the Gujarat Lions, he scored 4 T20 half-centuries while maintaining a healthy strike rate over 130.

He got his reward for his exceptional performances this year, in the form of a cheque of Rs 6.2 crores and a contract of the defending champions Mumbai Indians. In a recent T20 match that was organized for a social cause, Kishan scored a century in just 42 balls. If he manages to continue his red-hot form in the IPL, the selectors might look up to him as Dhoni's successor in the Indian team.

#3 Rahul Tripathi

Unlike the previous two on this list, Rahul Tripathi is not exactly a 'youngster'. But the 27-year-old from Ranchi rose to fame last year while playing for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants. Bought for his base price, nobody expected Tripathi to feature in the playing XI. But when an opportunity came his way, Tripathi did what champions usually do, grabbed it with both hands.

The son of an army man has got a wide repertoire of shots and a striking nonchalance. His IPL numbers are very impressive thus far, with an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of just under 150. The Rajasthan Royals management invested a lot of faith plus Rs 3.4 crores in him, and provided he keeps on doing what he has been doing in the domestic circuit, Tripathi might be in the Indian team anytime soon.

#2 Deepak Hooda

The 'hurricane' of Rohtak has been in the circuit for quite a while now, but yet hasn't got the Indian jersey. Hooda made a name for himself in 2015 and has been doing consistently well for the Sunrisers Hyderabad ever since. Hooda has a crucial role to play in SRH's title-winning campaign in 2016.

Cunning with the ball and destructive with the bat, Hooda has already got a call from the national selectors. However, he hasn't played a match for his country yet. Hooda will be representing the orange army again, and he just needs to do what he has done so far, so as to make sure that taking the field for his national side is just a matter of time.

#1 Krunal Pandya

One name that is common in every uncapped list about the IPL is Krunal Pandya. The bigger of the Pandya brothers has had two great IPL seasons so far, which has earned him the tag of 'most expensive uncapped player'. Krunal is neither a bowling nor a batting all-rounder. With both batting and bowling being his forte, he completely justifies his hefty price tag.

However, while younger brother Hardik is a regular feature in the Indian team, Krunal hasn't got his blue jersey with the BCCI logo in it yet. With 39 T20 wickets in his kitty, he has played an instrumental role in Indians' success thus far, and if he keeps doing so, we might see bot the Pandya brothers in the Indian side very soon.