IPL 2018: 5 players who could make a difference in their debut season

Major changes took place ahead of this year's IPL Auction. Previously established franchises had the majority of their core players torn away from them, leaving them with just a handful of retained players. Some established IPL stars failed to earn contracts, such as Ashoke Dinda and Rajat Bhatia.

There were also some auction shocks, like England captain Joe Root being snubbed entirely. However, there are also a lot of new faces in this year's competition. As a result, the tournament could throw up some surprises. This article looks at five IPL first-timers who could have a major impact in the season.

#5 Moeen Ali

England all-rounder Moeen Ali was snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 1.7 crore. While his batting will provide lethal firepower down the order, it is Moeen's off-spin that could be crucial for Bangalore's title campaign.

Moeen's economy rate of 7.76 in India is his lowest in the world (bar the U.A.E) and he particularly impressed in the T20 series when England toured India at the beginning of last year. In those matches, he ended with figures of 4-0-21-2 and 4-0-20-1 as well as one wicketless performance. This is a testament to his discipline with the ball in tough conditions.

His batting will also greatly bolster RCB's chances. Indeed, Moeen is one of a few English batsmen to have an ODI career strike rate above 100 and he is currently the holder of England's second fastest ODI century (coming in just 53 balls). It is hardly surprising then that Ali was snapped up in the auction and he could make a huge impact this year.

#4 D'Arcy Short

D'Arcy Short

After setting his base price at just INR 20 lakhs, Australian D'Arcy Short would no doubt have been pleasantly surprised to see his price rise to a huge INR 4 crore. There is a reason why he went for such a high amount, with the Rajasthan Royals managing to secure his signature.

Short announced his arrival with a string of phenomenal Big Bash League performances. The Hobart Hurricanes star reached new heights in this year's BBL, scoring 572 runs in just eleven games. This was at a sublime average of 57 and at a devastating strike rate of 149. With one hundred and four fifties, it shows that Short has a strong conversion rate and can be the key for his side in setting a platform.

In the context of this year's IPL, it is likely that Short will open for the Royals. There are several players who could partner him at the top of their order, perhaps experienced IPL star Ajinkya Rahane or the young Rahul Tripathi. Either way, the Rajasthan Royals are set to have one of the best opening partnerships in the tournament, bolstered by the arrival of the Aussie powerhouse.

#3 Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer

Out of these five new faces, Jofra Archer's IPL deal was worth the most. The English county star fetched a phenomenal INR 7.2 crore, once again being signed by the Rajasthan Royals. Archer, who has been a stalwart for Sussex in the English County Championship, also found himself playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL.

Archer lit up the competition with his accurate and quick bowling, along with his electric presence in the field. He earned a reputation for being a clinical death bowler and he also carried his form into the Pakistan Super League. In the two matches he played for the Quetta Gladiators, Archer took 3/23 and 2/30 against two top franchises.

Aside from Archer and Ben Stokes, the Rajasthan Royals' fast bowling department is nothing to write home about though.

#2 Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Indian seamer Kamlesh Nagarkoti is perhaps one of the brightest fast-bowling prospects India has to offer at the moment. Nagarkoti, just 18 years of age, turned heads at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In that tournament, Nagarkoti clocked speeds of 145 kph on a regular basis and managed to get the ball to move.

Indeed, he was even named in the team of the tournament for his electric performances with the ball. India have not produced a genuine fast bowler for several years now, and perhaps Kamlesh is their answer to this.

Nagarkoti was bought for an incredible fee of INR 3.2 crore, significantly higher than his 20 lakh base price. He will feature for the Kolkata Knight Riders this season and will have the opportunity to learn from some talented seamers in Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson. The two Aussies paired alongside this rising prospect could make for a lethal combination.

#1 Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi

Chennai Super Kings' purchase of South African fast-bowler Lungi Ngidi for just INR 50 lakh was perhaps one of the best bargains in the IPL Auction. Ngidi shot to fame after being selected to play against India in the Test series. He put in several strong performances and, in his career so far, has taken 14 Test wickets in just three matches, averaging a sublime 16.

His start to his limited-overs career was equally imperious, taking six wickets in three T20Is at an economy rate of 5.5. His raw pace and lethal short ball will make him a nightmare to face, but he will have to adapt quickly to the flat Indian conditions.

The Chennai Super Kings have a very strong squad heading into the 2018 IPL, with a plethora of fast bowlers at their disposal. They include the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Mark Wood, Shane Watson and Shardul Thakur. Nevertheless, Ngidi will be pushing to start and could be an impact bowler in this year's competition.