5 unexpected stars from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Group Stage

With the group stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2016 being done with, the Super League stage now awaits for the eight teams that have qualified for the knockouts, namely- Delhi, Baroda, Vidarbha, Gujarat, Mumbai, Kerala, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.Throughout the group stages, we witnessed several superlative performances, wherein the players broke stereotypes and set new standards for themselves, besides laying claims for a spot in the national side for the upcoming World T20 in March.In this slideshow, we focus on five players whose performances were largely unexpected, either because it was felt that they were well beyond their prime, or because they were too young and inexperienced to put up an impressive performance.

#1 Nathu Singh

At 20 years of age, this young man from Rajasthan dreams of breaching the 160 kph barrier.

Perhaps the most hopeful of the takeaways from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is the young Rajasthan fast bowler, Nathu Singh. It isn’t just because of his age that it has been said so, but because of his intent to bowl fast, backed up by his performances, and recommendations from greats such as Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir.

With 15 wickets from 6 matches, Singh has done justice to their accolades, with 4/25 against Tripura and 4/13 against Kerala being the standout performances. In the process, he has also presented his case for the ICC World T20 2016 set to commence in March.

#2 Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara looks all set to shred-off the image of a Test batsman

A double hundred on debut against Australia had set the tone for one of India’s classical Test batsman, but there was a lot more to him than what the world made out. Perhaps the most stunning revelation from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has been that of Pujara showing his skill as a more than handy T20 batsman.

With three half-centuries in the tournament including a best of 81 against J&K, the Saurashtra batsman has shown that he can adapt according to the situation and alter his game to suit the need of the hour. His other prominent knocks in the league stages have been 67 against Tripura and 54* against Jharkhand.

#3 Parthiv Patel

The seasoned veteran hasn’t lost his prowess despite living in the shadows of MS Dhoni

The scores of 59, 70, 52, and 51*, and an aggregate of 268 runs from 6 games, Parthiv Patel has proven that years of wait and frustration after being in and out of the Indian team hasn't affected his temperament one bit.

The 30-year-old impressed one and all in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Ranji Trophy before that, before continuing the good run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. With their experienced opener in form, Gujarat are in a perfect position to make it two in two, and repeat their winning feat of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The India wicket-keeper batsman has already played 20 Tests and 38 ODIs for the country and looks in contention to add to that tally.

#4 RP Singh

The star of the Vijay Hazare Trophy final has done it again for Gujarat

RP Singh’s 12 wickets from 6 games have only added to his repo as a potent left-arm pacer after his 4/42 against Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final led Gujarat to the coveted title. The experienced India pacer last played for the country in 2011, but given his recent exploits in the domestic season for his adopted side, and the selectors’ changing mood towards the ageing bowlers, we might just find him donning the India jersey very soon.

As far his performance is concerned, he has peaked at the right time for his side and has to play a vital role if Gujarat are to win the T20 tournament. With figures of 3/26, 3/15 and 3/16, the Uttar Pradesh cricketer has shown that he not only has the ability to pick up wickets, but also the ability to stop the flow of runs.

#5 Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan makes a strong case for the seaming all-rounder’s slot

MS Dhoni has expressed the lack of a proper seaming all-rounder in the Indian team, but perhaps he and the selectors have been overlooking this veteran who has filled that role to some extent in the past.

Irfan Pathan began his campaign with a blistering 5/13 against Assam and followed it up soon with 4/34 against Madhya Pradesh, scoring vital runs for his side as well at the same time, including the knocks of 49*, 27* and 28 against Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra respectively.

His all-round abilities should make him a contender when the team for the World T20 gets picked.