IPL 2018: 5 Indian Cricketers who might make a comeback using IPL

Since it's inception, IPL has been a platform for young talented cricketers where they showcase their caliber and find a place in their respective national sides. The motto of the IPL itself defines its mission, 'Yatra Pratibha Avsara Prapnotihi' which means where talent meets opportunity.

On the other hand, the talent of some experienced players is also met with opportunities to stake their claim in the national side.

Other than providing a stage to the unexplored players from the domestic circuit, the IPL also serves as an ideal platform for the players who are facing hardships and struggles to make a comeback.

Here on we look at 5 Indian players who may use IPL to make their place in the limited overs side.

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#5 KL Rahul

After cementing his place in the Indian Test side, the Karnataka Batsman will be looking to attain a place in the limited overs side with an eye on the upcoming 2019 World Cup. He was an integral part of the Karnataka squad which lifted the Vijay Hazare trophy this year.

In the recently concluded Nidahas Trophy, he was only able to score mediocre 42 runs in his 3 matches played. Rahul hasn't been able to convert his good starts into big scores. He has hardly played any match-winning knocks in the recent years.

Rahul bagged an auction price of Rs. 11 crores, which is the second highest bid for an Indian in this edition of the IPL. For catching the notice of selectors, he will need to outclass the star-studded Kings XI Punjab batting line-up which consists a plethora of established batsmen.

#4 Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami's other name is Shami Ahmed

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, two pacers who started their limited over careers in the same series. The former is now the spearhead of the Indian bowling and the latter is finding it difficult to regain his place in the side.

The Bengal pacer has been able to pick just 18 wickets in his 32 matches played in the world's most competitive league.

After earning his central contract, he has trained himself in isolation at Dehra Dun and has also joined the practice sessions at the Feroz Shah Kotla. In a recent press conference, Gautam Gambhir praised Shami's fitness.

#3 Robin Uthappa

Uthappa is a game-changer for KKR

Robin Uthappa is one of the most consistent and skillful cricketers played for the Kolkata hierarchy. KKR used one of their three RTM cards to retain the Saurashtra batsman.

He contributed a valuable 660 runs in the Kolkata Knight Rider's winning reign in 2014. In the same year, he also won the Orange Cap. Playing for Karnataka, Uthappa was the leading run-scorer in 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season. On the back of these performances, he made his comeback for India against Zimbabwe in 2015, but with moderate returns.

In his last 6 List A games, he has scored just 95 runs which shows his poor and inconsistent form. Also in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored just 100 Runs in four innings with an average of 25 runs per game.

With IPL just around the corner, would be looking to get back into the form with some stellar performances.

#2 Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav was part of Champions Trophy squad

Umesh Yadav, a lethal fast bowler who hails from the Vidarbha who has stunned many batsmen with his precise bowling. He has the ability to bowl regularly at 140 kmph and touch 150 kmph at times.

Yadav showed his good form by scalping 5 wickets in 3 games in the Deodhar Trophy. His heroics with the ball helped the India B team to clinch the Deodhar Trophy title.

The last time when Yadav played in the blues for India, his 4 wicket-haul had gone into vain after David Warner smashed a hundred. Donning the RCB jersey and playing under the Indian Skipper may change his fate.

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin

Adding to the list, another player who has found his seat in the Test squad but tackling the struggle for his stake in the limited over. He uses his street-smart skills in the shortest form of the game to bamboozles the batsman. In the recent times, he has also developed his batting skill making him a perfect bowling all-rounder.

After the conclusion of India's tour to West Indies, Ashwin has never played for the Indian team in the blues. His recent performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy include 9 wickets in just 5 games.

Having missed the previous edition of the IPL due to an injury, he will be now looking to make the most of this opportunity given to him