IPL 2016: 5 U-21 cricketers expected to shine this season

Every year, the IPL introduces us to some really bright talent, which mesmerises us with skills, spirit and temperament at such a young age. Franchises constantly keep an eye open for such talent as they come cheap compared to the international stars. Funnily, this year’s IPL bidding witnessed some Indian uncapped young players going for whopping prices dozens of times above their base price.

Call it the confidence of the franchises in what they see or the exposure that most of these young players already have which makes them worth their weight in gold, it is good news all the way for youngsters. Gone are the days, when kids were lured away from cricket because very few could end up making a reliable career out of it.

Thanks to IPL, youngsters know they are one good season away from fame, like the talented Delhi batsman Shreyas Iyer realised last year. He doesn’t make it to the list of our top U-21 players having just crossed 21. So did Sanju Samson, Baba Aparajith and Akhil Herwadkar, impressive names in the domestic circuit.

But we do have some U-21 players who are expected to do really well for their franchise. Some of them are playing IPL for the first time, while some of them already understand the challenges it can conjure.

Sarfaraz Khan

He has played two U-19 World Cups for India and has already impressed everyone with amazing cameos last year for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He will likely explode this year, given his confidence levels. Sarfaraz, touted as the next big thing in the Indian cricket circuit registered scores of 48, 81, 74, 74, 21*, 76, 59 and 51 in the recently concluded U-19 World Cup showing how he was a class apart.

Raised by his dad to play for India one day, the single-minded hard work is paying off big time as Sarfaraz was retained by the RCB team. With a strike-rate of 157 in 14 T20 innings, Sarfaraz will definitely bloom under Virat Kohli, who himself is in the form of his life. He also plays for UP, having left Mumbai for greater opportunities.

Rishabh Pant

Delhi Daredevils have shown their faith in Rishabh Pant by paying a whopping 1.9 crore rupees for him in the auction, from a base price of just 10 lakh. A big part of it was under the influence of his record-breaking, fastest U-19 fifty against Nepal following a century against Namibia. The 18-year-old left-hander played for Delhi in the domestic circuit where in one of his four innings, he managed a half-century.

Known for his swashbuckling big hitting at the top, Pant will be mentored by none other than Rahul Dravid and that is a huge bonus. He will also be playing with Shreyas Iyer, who is almost on the verge of making it to the national team after a scintillating domestic season followed by a very impressive IPL last year.

Nathu Singh

Nathu Singh could become the story of this IPL. The rags to riches tale is simply heart-warming, but there is a lot more to him than just his humble background. Capable of bowling at tearaway speeds, Nathu Singh has been highly recommended by no one less than Rahul Dravid himself, ensuring he got a whopping 3.2 crore rupees from Mumbai Indians.

His impressive domestic debut for Rajasthan where he wrecked Delhi’s top order with a seven-wicket haul, 21 wickets in 11 T20 games with a great economy rate and training under Glenn McGrath at the MRF Pace Academy have added more value to his reputation. It also adds pressure but he will be mentored by greats like Sachin Tendulkar, not to mention Mumbai Indians’ excellent coaching staff. He is probably the most exciting prospect to watch out for in this year’s IPL.

Mustafizur Rahman

All of 20, Mustafizur was the only Bangladesh bowler picked up at this year’s auction and might be the only one apart from Shakib Al Hasan to get a regular playing spot in the XI when he turns up for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Known for his slow-cutters, Mustafizur has 22 T20I scalps at 14 and 26 ODI scalps in just 9 games at 12.34. He has flummoxed and bamboozled many even at the recently concluded T20 World Cup and is one of the more exciting prospects of this upcoming IPL.

His awkward angle and adaptability to familiar slow surfaces will make him double the threat compared to most other international bowlers. He has an injury threat around him with his side strain but the young lad will certainly help some young Indian batsmen deal with quality slow balls of the type very few can dish out!

Deepak Hooda

He is on the brink of turning 21 and just makes it to the list. With the experience of one explosive IPL season for Rajasthan Royals, the young all-rounder who also bowls off-spin is likely to play a big role for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Hooda averages 17 in 27 T20 innings but it is his strike-rate of 137.5 that makes him special.

A handy off-break bowler, Hooda would have likely matured after a year for Baroda, although he had a lean season. He is called the Hurricane for his six-hitting capability ensuring Sunrisers snaffled him for an unheard of 4.2 crore rupees for a young uncapped player.