IPL 2021: 5 new recruits to watch out for

IPL 2021 has just gotten underway. With some of the biggest names in world cricket in action, the most celebrated T20 league on the planet promises a thrill-ride for players and fans alike. With the mini auction taking place earlier this year in Februrary, all the 8 teams look solid on paper and have been raring to go once again. With each franchise looking to groom its youngsters, the IPL has consistently proved to be the perfect launchpad for budding talent. Let's take a look at some of the bright prospects who might light up IPL 2021.

Note: We are considering only players aged 23 or under, and hence omitting the likes of Shahrukh Khan (Punjab Kings), Lukman Meriwala and Ripal Patel (Delhi Capitals), Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bangalore), R Sai Kishore and C Hari Nishanth (Chennai Super Kings).

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5. Marco Jansen

Mumbai Indians surprisingly opted to reinforce their fast bowling stocks at the auction with the addition of 20-year-old Marco Jansen from South Africa. Since making his debut in the 2017/18 season, Marco has consistently clocked over 140 km/h and is a handy bat lower down the order. Standing at 6'8'', he can unsettle batsmen with deceptive pace and uncomfortable bounce. At this year's auction, he was picked up at his base price of 20 lakhs after being on the radar for MI for more than three years.

With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult being certain starters, Marco isn't expected to feature in every match. But this experience will definitely hold him in good stead for the future.

4. Yudhvir Singh Charak

Yudhvir Singh Charak

Mumbai Indians roped in Yudhvir Singh Charak at his base price of 20 lakhs. Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, the young fast bowler represents Hyderabad in first class cricket. He has played only six T20 matches till date. Like Jensen, he can also clock around the 140 km/h mark and wield the long handle if necessary.

The 23-year-old will be looking forward to learning the nuances of the game from the team's stalwarts over the course of the season. Although his chances of playing a game appear slim, Yudhvir will hope to learn the tricks of the trade from two of the best bowlers in the game today. He has previously traveled with the squad to the UAE as a nets bowler in IPL 2020. His hard work has landed him a contract with the most successful team in IPL history. He credits his success largely to his teammates in Hyderabad, senior batsman Ambati Rayudu and Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj.

3. Chetan Sakariya

Coming from a very humble background, Chetan Sakariya turned heads when he became one of the mainstays of Saurashtra's fast-bowling attack in the 2019/20 Ranji trophy season. His bustling action, along with the ability to surprise batsmen with quick bouncers, makes him a potential threat for which he was signed by the Rajasthan Royals this season for a whopping 1.20 crores.

Although he had a successful 2018/19 debut season, picking up 29 wickets in the Ranji trophy, he was coming off an injury when he was helped by senior Saurashtra pacer, Jaydev Unadkat. He credits his growth to the time he spent as an RCB nets bowler in the 2020 IPL, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Dale Steyn and Umesh Yadav.

A left-arm pacer always provides that X-factor in a lineup. Sakariya will be looking to make the most of it and deliver for his team.

Forming a potent partnership with Jofra Archer, Sakariya can exhibit and hone his exceptional talent.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/ipl-2021-contract-rr-ray-hope-emerging-emotional-crisis-chetan-sakariya-exclusive

2. M Siddharth

M Siddharth made his List-A debut for Tamil Nadu in spectacular fashion, taking 4 crucial wickets in the 2021 SMAT finals. His timely strikes paved the way for Tamil Nadu to clinch their third title..His exploits in the TNPL for Chepauk Super Gillies made people notice him, which eventually culminated in his selection by the Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL 2020 auction.

Being part of the KKR setup last season, he gained some valuable insights from his state captain and teammate, Dinesh Karthik. Although he did not have any gametime at KKR, the experience Siddharth gained sharing space with stars like Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav has certainly improved his game big time.

He bowled economically in the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare trophy, after which he was picked up by the Delhi Capitals for IPL 2021. DC have a plethora of options to choose from as they are already spoiled by the spin-bowling riches of R. Ashwin, Axar Patel and Amit Mishra. With the ability to bowl stump-to-stump at a decent economy, Siddharth will be eager to perform well when his chance comes knocking.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-ipl-2021-ashwin-anna-there-will-answer-question-i-ask-m-siddharth-set-make-mark-delhi-capitals-exclusive

1. Harishankar Reddy

Hari Shankar Reddy taking Dhoni's wicket during the practice#IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/zpEv8gHsp8

— Vinesh Prabhu (@vlp1994) March 17, 2021

Harishankar Reddy's name has been doing the rounds on the domestic circuit for a while now. Courtesy of his impact performances at the Karbonn Andhra T20 and Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy 2021 for Andhra, he was snapped up at his base price of 20 lakhs at this year's auction by the Chennai Super Kings. The lanky 22-year-old speedster was able to build up a nice pace and extract movement off the Wankhede pitch where CSK are slated to play 5 matches. As CSK do not have any matches scheduled at Chepauk, the management might be tempted to provide a chance to the youngster in the early part of the tournament.

Reddy reinforced his credentials at the CSK training camp, where he clean-bowled MS Dhoni during a practice session. The video has gone viral ever since. One hopes to see the pacer from Kadappa donning the yellow jersey and rub shoulders with some of the best in the game.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-ipl-2021-when-i-got-selected-auction-i-went-room-screamed-csk-s-hari-shankar-reddy