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Like every year, the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) season has seen a number of uncapped Indian players come up with memorable performances. Their efforts have ranged from sublime to sensational.
On Thursday, former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer took to his Twitter account and wrote that he was pleased to see so many uncapped Indian cricketers coming to the fore during IPL 2021. He also named a few players who, according to him, could play for India in the near future. Jaffer’s tweet read:
“Really happy to see Uncapped Indian players perform so well. Often they're underrated imo. V Iyer, Tripathi, Avesh, Arshdeep, Bishnoi, Brar, Umran, Harshal, and Jaiswal stood out this season. Quite a few should make India debuts before next season. #IPL2021 #BestLeagueInTheWorld.”
Also Check: IPL Live Score | IPL Points Table 2021 | IPL time table
Uncapped Indian players who stood out in IPL 2021
Ahead of the IPL 2021 final between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), we rank five of the most impressive uncapped Indian cricketers during the season.
#5 Ravi Bishnoi (PBKS)
Young Punjab Kings (PBKS) leggie Ravi Bishnoi played only nine matches for his franchise in IPL 2021. But he made a significant impact almost every time he came on to bowl. Among the few bright spots for PBKS in another disappointing IPL campaign, Bishnoi finished the season with 12 wickets in nine games at a strike rate of 17.50 and a brilliant economy of 6.34.
Beyond the impressive numbers, it was his self-confidence in his ability that stood out. He was not afraid to toss the ball up to some big names of the game and was willing to risk being hit for runs. Bishnoi played a stellar role as PBKS defended 125 against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), outfoxing Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav and Abdul Samad.
In the league clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Abu Dhabi, Bishnoi dismissed Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav off consecutive deliveries, the latter being bamboozled with a googly. The 21-year-old made an impact on the fielding front as well. He took a sensational running catch to dismiss KKR's Sunil Narine in the first half of IPL 2021.
#4 Rahul Tripathi (KKR)
Rahul Tripathi has been on the IPL scene for a few years now. He earlier represented Rising Pune Supergiant and Rajasthan Royals (RR). Every season, it has been about one or two good knocks for him and nothing much else. In IPL 2020 as well, he cracked a brilliant 81 but ended the season with only 230 runs to his name.
In many ways, the 30-year-old has turned the corner in IPL 2021. To KKR management’s credit, they have backed the stroke-maker’s talent and have given him a specific role in the batting order, with Tripathi responding to the challenge. Going into the IPL 2021 final, he has smashed 395 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 141.07.
While the KKR openers have given the team some blazing starts, Tripathi has kept up the tempo with some fiery knocks. He hit a fine 74* off 42 as KKR crushed MI in Abu Dhabi and followed it up with a couple of good cameos. The six he slammed off Ravichandran Ashwin to put KKR in the final was a reflection of the confidence he has gained during the course of IPL 2021.
#3 Avesh Khan (DC)
IPL 2021 did not end on a memorable note for young DC pacer Avesh Khan. He bowled a full toss to Srikar Bharat and was clattered for a six as Royal Chellengers Bangalore (RCB) stunned Delhi Capitals (DC) in their last league-stage clash. Against CSK in Qualifier 1 as well, he was expensive with figures of 1 for 47. However, with 24 wickets in 16 games at a strike rate of 15.25, Avesh was undoubtedly one of the finds of IPL 2021.
The youngster was so impressive that DC had to keep Anrich Nortje out of the playing XI in the first half. He bowled some brilliant yorkers and kept getting wickets at crucial intervals for DC. Avesh famously cleaned up MS Dhoni for a duck in DC’s season opener against CSK and went from strength to strength. He registered brilliant figures of 3 for 13 and 3 for 15 in consecutive games against KKR and MI in the UAE leg of IPL 2021.
The 24-year-old’s struggles in the last few matches of IPL 2021 proved that he is still very much an unfinished product. Overall though, Avesh made a massive impact on the tournament and is definitely someone to watch out for in the future.
#2 Harshal Patel (RCB)
Much like Rahul Tripathi, Harshal Patel has been on the scene for a while. In fact, he made his IPL debut back in 2012. IPL 2021, though, proved to be his breakout year. He finished the season with a record-equalling 32 wickets in 15 matches at a strike rate of 10.56. With a little bit of luck, Patel could have broken Dwayne Bravo’s record for most wickets in an IPL season.
Before the start of IPL 2021, the 30-year-old was picked as RCB’s designated death bowler and he rose to the challenge and how! Patel varied his pace to deadly effort, and even claimed a famous hat-trick in a match against MI in Dubai. Whenever Virat Kohli turned to him for wickets, Patel delivered more often than not.
He created history in the first half of IPL 2021, becoming the first bowler to claim a five-wicket haul against MI. It was not all hunky-dory for the RCB pacer though. His campaign hit a low when he conceded 37 runs in an over against CSK during the India leg, with Ravindra Jadeja spanking him for five sixes. However, he lifted himself commendably to put up some memorable performances in the second half.
#1 Venkatesh Iyer (KKR)
Let’s be honest. Had it not been for Venkatesh Iyer’s towering presence at the top of the order, KKR would not have been in the IPL 2021 final. Kolkata began the second half of the IPL season with only two wins from seven games. Throughout the India leg, KKR's head coach Brendon McCullum urged his players to show intent, but it just did not happen.
In the second half, one change at the top of the order completely altered KKR’s fortunes. The introduction of Iyer, who scored a blazing 41 not out off 27 in his debut game against RCB, proved to be a master stroke. The intent that KKR were looking for at the top of the order arrived with Iyer, and Kolkata have not looked back since.
Iyer followed up his debut knock with his maiden half-century in his very next game against MI and has scored a couple more since. The left-hander’s success has had a lot to do with his uncomplicated approach. He has taken the pitch out of the equation and has backed himself against the best bowlers on show.
The 26-year-old’s refreshing approach has rubbed off on fellow KKR opener Shubman Gill, who has lifted his pace of scoring in the second half. Iyer scored a brilliant fifty to play a stellar role in KKR’s triumph over DC in Qualifier 2. The franchise will be expecting one last big push from him this season, in the all-important final against CSK on Friday.
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