IPL 2021: Ranking the top 5 uncapped Indian players of the season

#3 Avesh Khan (DC)

Delhi Capitals fast bowler Avesh Khan. Pic: IPLT20.COM

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.

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#2 Harshal Patel (RCB)

RCB pacer Harshal Patel. Pic: IPLT20.COM

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.

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#1 Venkatesh Iyer (KKR)

KKR opener Venkatesh Iyer. Pic: IPLT20.COM

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.