Every IPL we see a few players who impress with their talent and temperament. Some stand out due to good performances while some catch the eye for the approach and potential.
It is not easy for a youngster to get noticed in IPL. The pressure is on from the first over itself and opportunities can dry up quickly if the player doesn’t perform sooner rather than later. So those who do manage to grab the eyeballs in the tournament, must be commended.
For his unique action, I quite like Shivil Kaushik. The Gujarat Lions player bowls like South Africa’s Paul Adams – the frog-in-the-blender style – and it is not easy. While I feel he will find the going tough because of his strenuous bowling style, Kaushik has the ingredients to make a mark if he is willing to work that much harder on his fitness and accuracy.
For me, the standout ‘newcomer’ this IPL has been all-rounder Krunal Pandya. The elder brother of Hardik, it seems Krunal has been inspired by his younger sibling’s international stint and has been excellent this IPL, with more than 200 runs and six wickets at an economy of less than eight an over.
I am sure the brothers must have learnt a lot from each other’s game and pushed each other to do better. Krunal has done well for his domestic team Baroda in one-dayers and T20s. The left-hander has replicated that form in the IPL.
Many players get an opportunity in the IPL but very few grab it. Krunal has done that in his very first outing in the tournament for Mumbai and can go a long way.
His knock against Delhi Daredevils was unbelievable. The way he took on the bowlers and sent them over the midwicket boundary with ease was spectacular. The all-rounder hit six sixes and nearly as many boundaries in that knock and it was a treat to watch.
One batsman I will be keeping an eye on in the future is Delhi Daredevils’ Rishabh Pant. He did well for India at the U19 World Cup and while he has scored only one fifty this IPL, there is something about him which sets him apart.
He is an aggressive left-handed batsman and a decent wicketkeeper as well. I like his attacking style and feel he can be successful.
Among the foreign players who played this time, Marcus Stoinis impressed me. He scored close to 150 runs and took eight wickets for Kings XI Punjab. He did well in the Big Bash as well and the Aussie has a good career ahead of him, with his leg cutters and slower ones proving to be very effective.
Most wickets after first 4 #IPL games...
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) May 17, 2016
11 - Lasith Malinga & Adam Zampa
10 - Kevon Cooper #RPSvDD
I also like the look of Adam Zampa. To get the second best bowling figures in IPL history is a challenge and he did that, taking six against Hyderabad. The Aussie has the makings of a fine leg-spinner as his action is strong and clean.
He had to wait for his opportunity as Pune had quite a few star players in their team. But once he got a chance, Zampa really made the most of it.
These players have taken the first step – gaining the attention of world. But that’s not the end.
They have made a good start, but will need to keep working hard and need to deliver year after year and prove their talent in various situations. Only then will they be considered the real deal.
