5 Indian cricketers who enjoyed a rebirth in IPL 2016

#5 Bipul Sharma (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Bipul Sharma ended this year’s tournament with an explosive strike-rate of 204

The left-arm spinner and handy lower middle-order batsman started his journey in domestic circuit in 2005, when he made his debut for Punjab. He was first picked by the Punjab-based franchise Kings XI Punjab in 2010 but didn’t get many chances there. After a rather unsuccessful time with Punjab Ranji team, he made a switch to Himachal Pradesh.

He was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015 and two years down the line he became one of the key members of the recently crowned IPL champions. Though he played only 7 matches in the tournament, Bipul was an important member of the champions in the two massive knockout games.

His big-hitting ability proved to be the x-factor in the second eliminator against Gujarat Lions. He also picked up the wicket of AB de Villiers in the all-important final and was instrumental in their victory that night. In 7 matches, Bipul scored 51 runs but ended the tournament with a massive strike-rate of 204. The left-arm spinner also picked up three wickets for his team.

It has been a superb two months for the Amritsar-born 32-year-old, from being dropped by his previous franchise in 2014 and spending the season without an IPL team to emerging as a key member of the champion team.