IPL 2018: 5 Indians for whom this year's IPL is of supreme importance

Indian Premier League has been a platform for budding young cricketers to showcase there talent and make their way into the Indian cricket team. The quality of the cricket is high class and close to international standards and it is a big learning curve for young players to play alongside elite Internationals.

The IPL also rejuvenates struggling careers and provides them with consistency and stability. There have been players in the past who have made their comebacks to the national team on the back of some stellar performances in the IPL.

IPL 2018 is nearly upon us and all the eight franchises have built a squad that suited their plans and strategies. The tournament promises to be an exciting bonanza for cricket fans as well as the participants.

This year also, there are some players who are coming in the tournament to prove a point. Let us have a look at five such players for whom this year's IPL is of utmost importance and for whom, the tournament could be make or break :

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#1 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is a utility player in T20 cricket. Keeping his vulnerabilities against the shot ball aside, he is a dynamic limited overs batsman. He can also chip in with four quick overs whenever the team requires.

In recent times though, selectors have overlooked him when it came to selection for India's limited overs squad. Although he played the T20's in South Africa recently, but he failed to make a lasting mark that could ensure him a spot in the ODI setup.

So, he would want to make a point in this year's IPL and force his way in the Indian Cricket team for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He still has a lot of cricket left in him and the IPL is scheduled just at the right time for him to climb some places up in the pecking order as far as selection is concerned.

#2 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal has been in brilliant form off late.

Mayank Agarwal has had a tremendously profitable domestic season this year. He was a prolific run-scorer for Karnataka in their campaign this year and his hunger for runs was admirable.

Agarwal is gifted with natural talent but he has struggled to find consistency and stability throughout his career. This year has been very different for him though. He has showcased maturity and efficiency along with some raw talent and has scored runs in abundance

Still he failed to impress the selectors and hence is still waiting to make his International debut for India. He will play for the Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2018 and would hope that his rich vein of form continues and he grabs the eyeballs of the selectors.

He can be a good edition to the Indian middle order. If he can perform well in IPL 2018, he can present a strong case for himself for the number four position in the Indian middle order for ICC World Cup 2019. He oozes class and is one of the most watchable young players.

#3 Barinder Sran

Sran would want to make a big impact for KXIP

When Barinder Sran made his debut for India amidst a lot of raised eyebrows, he impressed one and all with his performances Down Under. Big things were expected of him as he bowled like a pro on Australian pitches that were alien to him.

Three years down the line, he is struggling to find a place for himself in the Indian limited over setup. It seems that his career is following the same path as most of Indian fast bowlers-a lot of promise initially but failure to live up to potential.

Thus, IPL 2018 might turn out to be a boon for Sran. He was picked up by the Kings XI Punjab in the player auctions and he will be looking to make a big impact for them in IPL 2018.

Being a left-arm pace bowler works in Sran's favour as he just might be the final piece that completes the jigsaw puzzle of Indian bowling unit in white ball cricket. He is tall, lanky and hits the bat hard. He offers something different to the Indian team with his variety.

#4 Ravichandran Ashwin

This IPL could be make or break for Ashwin

R Ashwin is no longer the prime option for India's limited overs team mainly due to his poor run of form. He has struggled to pick wickets in the middle overs and this prompted the selectors to look beyond him and pick wrist-spinners instead.

There is no denying the fact that Ashwin still has alot to offer to India's ODI and T20I teams. He might not be central in the plans at the moment but he is not completely out of the plans either. This year's IPL might be make or break for his limited overs career.

He has added a lot of new variations to his armor and we also saw him bowl some leg-spinners in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare trophy. He will have an added responsibility of leading the KXIP in IPL 2018 and we will also see how effective R Ashwin- the captain turns out to be.

#5 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Does MS Dhoni still has the X -Factor?

MS Dhoni will see IPL 2018 as an opportunity to prove his critics wrong. There have been a lot of questions over his finishing ability lately. In recent times, Dhoni has struggled to accelerate and hit big strokes, something which brought him to prominence.

Having already retired from red ball cricket, Dhoni has a lot of issues to sort out before ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He has changed his stance quite a bit and is yet to reap the benefits of the same.

His performances in IPL 2018 will make it clear whether he still has that X-Factor that made him one of the most feared finishers in world cricket. This year's IPL could very well decide whether he will continue playing T20 cricket for India as Rishabh Pant is knocking on the door for international selection. Thus, IPL 2018 is of utmost importance for M.S Dhoni in particular.