IPL 2018: 'Emerging Player of the Year' award contenders

The cricketer who displays the potential to develop into a forthcoming headliner in international cricket is awarded by the BCCI as the 'Emerging Player of the Year' after the conclusion of every IPL season. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Axar Patel and Mustafizur Rahman have been recipients of the prestigious award in the past and have gone on to become vital players for their respective national teams.

The deciding factor is a blend of fan-voting and the choice made by the cricket pundits, primarily the commentary team. However, a player must comply with the following criteria to get the consideration for achieving the honor:

-The player must be born on or after 1 April 1992;

-He must have played 5 or fewer Test matches, 10 or fewer ODI or T20I matches;

-He must have played 25 or fewer matches in the IPL;

-Never won this award before.

The following list shows the promising young players who can get their hands on 'Emerging Player of the Year' award in IPL 2018.

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#8 KM Asif

KM Asif is expected to play a crucial role as CSK lack genuine speedsters

The Kerala fast bowler is one of the emerging speedsters in India, who clicks 140+ kmph constantly and even kisses higher 140s from time to time. The short, quick and skiddy nature make KM Asif an uncommon commodity.

Making his domestic cricket debut in January scalped five wickets in two T20s whereas took a 3-fer in lone List A match. It was satisfying enough for Chennai Super Kings to rope him in for ₹40 lacs who could string along his Kerala team-mate Basil Thampi to win the 'emerging player of the year' award in the upcoming IPL season.

#7 Shubman Gill

Gill idolizes Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli

The 'Man of the tournament' in recently concluded ICC U-19 World Cup, Shubman Gill was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹1.8 crores to join his WC-winning team-mates Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

KKR looks slightly thin on batting, lacking experienced Indian batsmen, barring the wicket-keeping duo of Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik.

Having power packed pace-attack with the likes of Starc, Johnson, Andre Russel and Vinay Kumar, Gill is more likely to be a routine member of the playing XI in comparison to Mavi and Nagarkoti, which makes him a stronger contender to win the 'emerging player of the year' award.

#6 Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan didn't keep wickets for GL due to the presence of veteran Dinesh Karthik

Mumbai Indians bagged Ishan Kishan as a first choice wicket-keeper, as a result of which they paid a whopping ₹6.2 crores for his services. The 19-year-old was a part of Gujarat Lions previously, where he performed decently scoring 319 runs across the two seasons with them.

Representing Jharkhand in Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy, he had a mediocre outing, piling only 111 runs in 4 games. However, the faith MI has shown to snatch the young lad will perhaps encourage his morale.

#5 Akshdeep Nath

He could surprisingly become KXIP's wicket-keeper ahead of KL Rahul

In the list of some well-known and trending names in this slideshow, Akshdeep Nath could come to the scene as a dark horse to win the 'Emerging player of the year' award.

He was observed, quite a few times in the last season, fielding as a substitute for Gujarat Lions. He was given a few scattered opportunities but couldn't grab them as he managed to score only a handful of runs in four innings.

The tables turned in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the 24-year-old after he scored 127 runs at an healthy average of 63.50, striking at ominous 156.79 runs per 100 balls and got rewarded with a ₹1 crore IPL contract by Kings XI Punjab.

Furthermore, he is an electric fielder and more than handy behind the stumps with the gloves, which further strengthens his case on the list.

#4 Jofra Archer

He plays for Sussex County Cricket Club since 2016

The Barbadian fast-bowling sensation, who played for Windies U-19s in 2013, has been the find of the season in this year's Big Bash League. With an ability to click 145 km/h more often than not, Jofra Archer picked up 15 wickets in 11 games.

In addition to that, the 22-year-old is an electric fielder and a capable lower-order batsman. His heroics got converted into a ₹7.2 crores contract with Rajasthan Royals and expected to be a mainstay in their bowling department. On account of all the above, Archer laying his hands on the coveted award won't be a surprise.

#3 Rahul Chahar

Didn't get enough opportunities with RPS

The young leg-spinner from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, was bought by Mumbai Indians for ₹1.9 crores, after being a part of Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017. With a dearth of quality spinners the MI-setup, Rahul Chahar is expected to lead their spin attack from the front.

The 18-year-old has played 7 T20s so far, picking up eight wickets at a miser economy of 6.95. He has a big task up his sleeves to contain the opposition batsmen in the middle-overs on batting-friendly Wankhede wicket, where they play most of their matches.

#2 Billy Stanlake

Played only two games for RCB last year

The lanky fast-bowler from Australia, Billy Stanlake generates raw pace and came to the scene through U-19 Cricket World Cup 2014. Standing at almost 6 ft 8 in tall, he gets the natural ability to produce bounce even on the most lifeless of tracks.

Stanlake is currently playing in the T20I series between Australia, England an New Zealand, sitting at third place in wickets tally right after AJ Tye and Trent Boult. Sunrisers Hyderabad got him at a bargain price of ₹50 lacs, which was his base price.

#1 Washington Sundar

Arguably the strongest contender on the list

The teen sensation, Washington Sundar made his IPL debut last year, playing for Rising Pune Supergiants. He played 11 matches to pick eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.16.

He is a capable all-rounder, who even opened the batting for TUTI Patriots in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, finishing his campaign as the leading run-scorer and the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. The Chennai off-spinner isn't a massive turner of the ball, but his control and subtle change in pace make him threatening in the format where the batsmen are always at the bowler.

For all these reasons, the 18-year-old is a serious contender to win the 'Emerging player of the year' award this time around. Royal Challengers Bangalore grabbed his services for ₹3.2 crores.