IPL 2014: 5 players who proved they are not one-hit wonders

This whole X-Factor thing with people assuming Im going to be a one-hit wonder that wont happen with me.- Cher LloydOne-hit wonder, flash in the pan, these clichedphrases are often used for people who look very promising, begin with a bang and end up being a dud.It's very easy to become one of that kind when the competition is as stiff as the Indian Premier League. You don't perform, you perish. There is no place for mediocrity.Here are 5 talents who have passed the test of time to prove they were not one-hitwonders.

#5 Jaydev Unadkat

From 2010, since his debut with KKR, this Gujarati lad was seen as a high potential youngster for whom sky was the limit. In the limited opportunities he got in those early years he had already made some eyes roll his way. Then the bowling coach of KKR, the king of swing Wasim Akram commented about him as “someone to watch out for”.

In the three years he spent with the Knight Riders, Unadkat was considered a good option but rather an alternative for the main bowlers. He had to warm the bench many times as it often happens in the ever competitive IPL.

Then in 2013, he was bought by Vijay Mallya’s RCB and this was the year he truly shone in his glory. 13 wickets from 8 matches put him in the top list of bowlers in the last season.

In 2014, he found a new owner in Delhi which as a team is having a nightmare of a tournament but Unadkat has emerged as the biggest positive for the side. He has been the highest wicket taker for them with 8 from 8 matches. At just 22 years of age, he has an entire international career waiting ahead of him.

#4 Sanju Samson

Sanju Vishwanath Samson is a name the entire nation is chanting, and for good reason.

He is a little dynamite. His attitude on the field, his energy, his batting style and his ability to cope up with pressure at the age of 19 is just amazing.

In 2013, Sanju was bought by the Rajasthan Royals at the age of 18. Rahul Dravid, the skipper then showed full confidence in the young chap and boy, did he deliver!

With 206 runs and 13 dismissals with the gloves, he made a brilliant start to his IPL career last year.

Still people were sceptic whether he was just a flash in pan and the little guy from Kerala did have his critics.

With 265 runs, some unforgettable hitting and with ever improving attitude on the field under the able mentorship of Dravid and Shane Watson this season, Samson has proved that he is ready for the big leagues. With,age on his side, he may be one with a pretty long international career.

#3 Karn Sharma

Karn Sharma, who was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009, only got a chance to see the field in person in 2013 when he became the part of Sun Risers Hyderabad. Since then, he has not looked back.

Two seasons he has played for the side from Hyderabad, and two seasons he has delivered.

His leg spin has been one of the major factors in pulling the chariot of the Sunrisers. 11 wickets last season and 15 this time proves that all the hoopla around him was not a fluke. This guy has some serious talent.

His left hand batting is pretty handy but what really packs a punch are his dangerous googlies. He is someone who is always useful in this format of the game. He can bat well, pick wickets on time and is an aggressive fielder.

Karn Sharma has stayed relevant after being ignored in the initial seasons, not to add, it’s just a beginning.

His consistency with the ball and his ‘never give up’ attitude puts him at number 3 on the list.

#2 Pravin Tambe

First of all, at an age of 42, it’s hardly believable that someone would even feature on a list which titles anything like “one-hit wonder”. That is the beauty of the game.

“They say that your powers and memory are at their peak when you're 26, and it's all downhill after that.” - Lisa Jewell

Guess what, this gentleman has proved the world wrong.

Always wanting to become a fast bowler, this talented performer could never play beyond club cricket, until, one Rahul Dravid spotted him and gave him an opportunity to play under his leadership for Rajasthan Royals last season. He featured in just 3 matches where he took 3 wickets. Nothing special, right?

It was at the CLT20 2013, where Pravin Tambe made the entire world notice him. He won the award for picking up most number of wickets in the tournament. If that was not enough, he bowled with an economy of 3.93 and took 10 wickets at an astonishing average of 5.90!

“For someone who has not even got a chance to play first-class cricket and has worked hard all these years in Kanga league, it is terrific story,” Dravid said, speaking about his performance.

Still, many wrote him off as a one-hit wonder just because he was short on age.

Then came the IPL of 2014 and Tambe stays as one of the most destructive bowlers of the series with 15 wickets which includes a short span with the Purple Cap and a hat-trick against the mighty KKR. Tambe has shown the world that,age is just a number.

#1 Mohit Sharma

The Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni deserves an applause first, for believing in a 20-year-old inexperienced Mohit Sharma to lead his attack. Perhaps, it’s this belief that makes him one of the greatest leaders in the world.

Mohit Sharma was signed by Chennai Super Kings in 2013 and his debut season saw him picking up 20 wickets in 15 matches. He had surprised everyone alive. To lead the bowling of the strongest outfit in the league and delivering in such proportions, that is how you become a sensation! He did.

2014 edition of IPL saw the Tamil Superpower retaining their young spearhead. Mohit Sharma, endangered of losing his reputation, performed yet again like a champion and has already taken 19 wickets this season. He is only behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sunil Narine in the wicket table.

With his nice built, smooth run up, good fitness levels and fantastic statistics in the IPL, he might just be what Indian team is looking in order to win the 2015 World Cup.