IPL 2019: 5 Indians to watch out for this season

#1. KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab)

Rahul looks primed to leave a lasting impression

Over the past few years, not many have frustrated and mesmerised in equal measure as much as KL Rahul. On the days when he gets going, he looks at par with the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Yet, on the unsuccessful outings, he appears totally listless.

However, fortunately for him, the latter phase seems to be behind him and after a tumultuous 2018, it couldn’t have come quicker for the opener.

In the T20I series at home to Australia, Rahul starred with the willow and reminded the world of his astronomical abilities.

Though the extravagant shots were always around the corner, he mixed caution with aggression superbly. The right-hander looked a lot more composed at the wicket and went about his business playing relatively risk-free cricket. Thus, these new-found qualities could place him in better stead to excel.

Additionally, Rahul is still in line to fly to England for the World Cup. But, for that to happen he would need to distinguish himself at the IPL.

However, in light of his previous exploits in the IPL, one would be very brave to bet against him.

And while players such as MS Dhoni, Kohli, Rohit, AB De Villiers and Chris Gayle have rightly hogged the pre-season limelight, a right-handed opening batsman from Karnataka could yet make the biggest splash of them all.