IPL 2018 :- 5 Uncapped Players who deserve to represent their National Team

With the doubleheader on Sunday, e are entering the final 2 weeks of the 11th edition of the biggest T20 league in the world, the Indian Premier League. For the past 5 weeks, we have witnessed some of the biggest names in International and Domestic cricket play the best game of their life.

While Sunrisers Hyderabad became the first team to qualify for the playoffs, a 9th defeat last night ended Delhi Daredevils' dream of making it to the playoff this season as well. However, the biggest surprise package of this season has been the impeccable performances of a plethora of uncapped players. Over the years, players such as Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Kieron Pollard and Shaun Marsh all made it to their national teams after a successful stint with their IPL franchises.

Although there have been many uncapped players who have surprised even the hardest of critics, a few of them have performed so well that they deserve a spot in the national squad. Here are 5 such players who have done well enough to represent their national team.

Note:- Jofra Archer is not eligible for any national team right now, hence he is not considered for this list.

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Siddarth Kaul

Siddarth Kaul's time has finally arrived. Despite being on the domestic circuit for over 10 years and having played in IPL since the very first season, Siddarth Kaul never managed to make a big impact on any level. However, a new decade of IPL has brought a different and improved side of the bowler from Punjab, who has been a vital part of Sunrisers Hyderabad's tremendous campaign so far in IPL 2018.

Despite the presence of pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake, and Sandeep Sharma, it is Kaul who has been the most impressive bowler in the stunning SRH bowling line up. Having featured in all the matches for the team so far, Kaul has taken 13 wickets in 11 innings at a good economy of 7.50. Kaul's impressive performances finally paid dividends when he was selected in India's limited overs squad for England's tour and it won't be long before he finally accomplishes his dream of representing India at the International level.

Krunal Pandya

The New Premier All Rounder of Mumbai Indians.

Krunal Pandya made his IPL debut just 2 years back in 2016, and in a span of just 24 months, he has not only eclipsed his younger brother Hardik, but also Mumbai's vice-captain Kieron Pollard as the team's premier all-rounder. The player of the match from the finals last year, the elder Pandya has carried on to his performance from the past 2 seasons and has added certain touches to it, just like an icing on a cake.

Pandya has represented Mumbai Indians in all 11 matches so far in this season and has been tremendous both with the bat and the ball. Batting at number 4 or 5, Pandya has accumulated 189 runs at a stunning strike rate of over 152. With the bowl, he has taken 11 wickets at an economy of 7 and strike rate of just over 16. Already a part of India A squad, it is now the right time that Krunal joins his brother Hardik in India's senior team.

Suryakumar Yadav

The Mr. Consistent of Mumbai Indians this season

Having featured in all the matches for the Mumbai Indians in this season, Yadav is the highest run scorer for the franchise. SKY has accumulated 435 runs at a healthy average of almost 40 and a fantastic strike rate of 130. So good has Yadav been for the team at the top of the order that it has forced Rohit Sharma to slide down in the batting order. With the kind of form he is in, it won't be long before he finally makes his long due debut at senior level.

Between 2014 and 2017, Suryakumar Yadav had a respectable stint for Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite possessing loads of talent, he was not given regular opportunities by the franchise and never managed to reach his full potential during the 4 year stint with KKR. A return to his home town team this year, however, has kind of resurrected SKY, who has been batting at a different level for the Mumbai Indians.

Nitish Rana

Continuing his form from last year.

How often do we see a player make his way into the squad based on his impressive performance in one field, and then surprise everyone with his proficiency in the other field? Nitish Rana made a name for himself with his superb batting skills for the Mumbai Indians in the previous season, where he finished the season as their highest run scorer and played a vital role in their victorious campaign. In 2018, however, apart from continuing his spectacular form with the bat, Rana has turned many heads with his spin bowling.

Rana has been a part of the playing XI in all but one match for the Knight Riders so far in this IPL. In the 11 matches that he has played, Rana has scored 251 runs at a strike rate of almost 133 and average of 28. His partnership breaking overs have taken everyone by surprise as he has taken the all-important wickets of Kohli, ABD and Rahane in two matches. With two MoM awards to his name, Rana has put his case forward for a chance to represent the national side.

Prithvi Shaw

The skipper of the U-19 World Cup winning team

After leading India's U-19 squad to a memorable win in the World Cup earlier this year, skipper Prithvi Shaw became a hot property in the world of Indian cricket. Bought by Delhi Daredevils, the 19-year old was supposed to be the wild card for the team. Even though the team has again under-performed this season, Shaw has performed exceptionally well in all the opportunities that he has been provided in this season.

Shaw has only played in 7 out of the 12 matches for the Delhi Daredevils, but he has been in tremendous form at the top of the order. The young lad from Mumbai has scored 210 runs at a stunning strike rate of 160 and a respectable average of over 30. Along with Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer, Shaw has been the only shining spot in the DD batting line up.

Just like Mohammad Kaif in 2000 and Virat Kohli in 2008, maybe it's time for another U-19 captain to make a jump to the senior level after winning the U-19 World Cup.