5 Indian cricketers who were picked based on IPL performances but failed

#3 Rahul Sharma

Rahul Sharma was overshadowed by Ravichandran Ashwin

The 2011 season of the IPL was famous for many things. For two new teams entering the picture, for Chennai Super Kings becoming the first time to lift the title twice and in consecutive seasons as well. One other thing that made it memorable was the rise of the Indian spinners.

Five of the top seven wicket-takers were Indian spinners and although Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra both had more wickets in the 2011 season, it was the emergence of the uncapped Rahul Sharma that caught the eye of the Indian selectors. Playing for the Pune Warriors, he picked up 16 wickets at an economy rate of 5.46, which meant he had the best economy rate of any bowler who bowled more than 5 overs.

With performances like that, it didn't take too long for him to be mentioned as a candidate to play for India and he eventually got his chance later that year against West Indies. Unfortunately, he didn't make the most of his chances and only picked up 6 wickets from his four ODIs and three from his 2 T20Is. The emergence of Ashwin as India's premier spinner thereafter meant he hasn't gotten another chance since 2012.