IPL 2018: One player from each team who can earn a call up to the Indian team

The Indian Premier League was borne out of the idea to help budding Indian talent hone their skills by getting to play alongside the best names in world cricket. Since its inception, the IPL platform has been used not just by talented youngsters to catch the attention of the followers, but also by experienced out of flavour cricketers to show the national selectors what they are capable of.

Some notable names of cricketers who have risen through the ranks of the IPL include premier fast bowler Jasprit Burmah, hard-hitting all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. On the other hand, experienced campaigners like Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh have used their IPL performances to stage comebacks into the national team.

The present IPL season has crossed its halfway stage and the kind of performances at display have been eye-catching. Let us have a look at one player from each of the eight franchises who, on the back of his IPL 2018 performance, might manage to either earn a maiden international call-up or stage a comeback to represent India in national colours.

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Chennai Super Kings: Ambati Rayudu

The first name that comes to mind when we think of impact performances by Indian players this IPL is that of Ambati Rayudu. The 32-year-old right handed batsman has proven to be their most beneficial acquisition this year as he leads the run scorers chart with 370 runs to his name.

Rayudu, who has been a regular IPL performer, earned a call to the Indian team in 2013, on strong performances for Mumbai Indians. In the 34 ODI's that he featured in, the middle order batsman scored 1055 runs at an average of 50.23 that included two centuries. In fact, him not being considered as a permanent member of the Indian limited overs squad had little to do with his form, which hardy dipped.

Now that he has reinvented himself by playing innings of substance both in the middle order and at the opener's slot, Rayudu has made a strong case for a return to international cricket.

Kings XI Punjab: Lokesh Rahul

Rahul is in the form of his life and would love to cash in

Unlike Rayudu who has been out of the national reckoning for the past couple of years, K L Rahul has been given a consistent run by the national selectors. However, owing to injuries, a dip in form and the presence of a solid opening partnership in the form of Dhawan and Rohit meant that Rahul was dropped from the Indian team.

His failures though, were primarily when he batted in the middle order where India is yet to find a permanent solution and thus Rahul's powerful exhibition of batsmanship at the top of the order shows which is the ideal position for him to bat.

In the first half of IPL 2018, he has scored 268 runs at an exhilarating strike rate of 170.70, giving good completion to his partner in crime Chris Gayle. His batting exploits, which include the fastest fifty of IPL history, have helped Punjab a great deal in being one of the top sides until now.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Umesh Yadav

An Indian pacer steaming in and breathing fire is a very satisfying sight

RCB and bowling are not two terms that go well together. With the batting ammunition that they have possessed over the years, it is only fair to say that bowling is the one department that has let them down for over a decade now.

However, Umesh Yadav has breathed some serious pace into their system by delivering consistently for them with the ball. He has bowled with sheer pace, accuracy and an attacking instinct that has made batsmen feel uncomfortable at the crease.

Unlike his earlier days, where he portrayed glimpses of excellence marred by waywardness, the right arm pacer has evolved into being a serious threat to oppositions. With captain Kohli at his helm, it will only help Umesh to stay confident and keep expressing himself in a similar manner for if he can help RCB go all the way, he is sure to impress Virat to bring him into contention for a permanent position in the Indian team.

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson

Samson's clean hitting has been a treat to watch this IPL

Sanju Samson was an instant teenage sensation when he became the youngest to score an IPL fifty at the age of 18 in 2013. Consistent performances at the junior level enabled him to get a look at by the Indian selectors as he managed to make his India debut against Zimbabwe in a T20I in 2015.

However, he has not got another opportunity to dawn Indian colours till date. His current IPL performance though gives confidence as he looks in pristine touch with the bat. With 282 runs at 40.29 in 8 games, he is easily Rajasthan's best batsman and a reason for their 3 wins thus far.

If he can continue his rich vein of form for the rest of the tournament, the 23-year-old Kerala batsman, also the youngest to lead a Ranji Trophy side, shall surely grab the attention of the people in charge of selecting the Indian team.

Delhi Daredevils: Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant is touted as India's next wicketkeeper after MS Dhoni

Delhi wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant has the reputation of being a swashbuckler and the present edition of the IPL has only helped him build on that image. Playing for Delhi Daredevils, 20-year-old Pant has scored 382 runs at a belligerent strike rate of 180.29, courtesy which he currently holds the Orange Cap.

Having made his India debut on the back of a successful U-19 World Cup campaign and eye-catching knocks at the domestic level, Pant could not retain his position in the side for long.

However, now that his exploits with the bat are back to haunt the bowlers, Pant has brought himself well into the reckoning for a return to the Indian team. He will hope that this time he avails the opportunities, if and when they come his way.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Siddharth Kaul

Kaul is a vital cog in the strong Sunrisers' bowling unit

27-year-old Punjab pacer Siddharth Kaul has been a workhorse in the domestic circuit and now is when he has started to reap the fruits of his continued hard work. A member of India's 2008 U-19 World Cup winning squad, Kaul faded away owing to injuries post the successful event.

However, the right arm pacer, who plies his trade by delivering spells that combine pace and accuracy, has come a long way since then and is now a mainstay of the Sunrisers' bowling attack.

With the ante guidance that he got from Ashish Nehra and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kaul has evolved into being a handy bowler, especially in the T20 format where he is tough to get away and thus comes up with economical spells.

With 11 wickets in 8 matches, he has not just helped Hyderabad defend the smallest looking totals, but also put himself into contention for the Purple Cap and a call-up to the national squad.

Mumbai Indians: Surya Kumar Yadav

Surya Kumar Yadav has helped Mumbai get off to flying starts this season

Surya Kumar Yadav has opened the batting for Mumbai Indians this season and scored 283 runs in the 8 matches so far. Although his team finds itself at the bottom of the table, Yadav has provided ideal starts at the top of the order.

The right-handed batsman plays good cricketing shots to score his runs and is a trait to watch. At the same time, he can improvise to score runs all around the park, making him a T20 specialist.

If he can end the tournament as one of its leading run scorers, he will give the Indian team management a really handy option as he can play the role of a floater in the batting order who can bat at about any position from opening an innings to giving it the finishing touches.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana is a stylish left-handed batsman

Nitish Rana could have been most satisfied with his feat of picking up the wickets of two of international cricket's most legendary batsmen of modern times, off consecutive deliveries, in IPL 2018. And yet he has so much more to savour this season.

After turning out for Mumbai last year, Rana, who was picked up by KKR this year, has provided the KKR batting order with the much-needed solidity in the middle order. His presence has played the role of that of an anchor as the aggressive Russell, Lynn, Narine and Uthappa can express themselves completely.

Playing the sheet anchor, he also scores his runs at a quick pace and is one of the most dependable batsmen in this year's IPL. The stylish left-hander may have a long way as far as national selection is concerned, but he is taking all the right steps in that direction in the ongoing IPL season.