IPL 2021: 4 Indian players to watch out for in the 2nd phase

The final countdown to the 2nd phase of this edition’s IPL has started after a 4-month waiting period. In this time frame, players have traveled around and played different formats in different conditions. Their form has improved and dipped, and some teams have roped in replacements as well.

With more than 30 matches pending to be played at the league stage, the tournament is still wide open for all teams. Additionally, with the T20 World Cup scheduled to happen at the same venue within a few days post this IPL, the excitement leading up to this 2nd phase of this IPL is enormous.

Considering all this, let us look at the 4 Indian players to watch out for in the upcoming month.

#1 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is expected to be bowling regularly

The 27-year-old all-rounder has of late turned out to be a batsman, citing injury reasons. Since his back injury in 2018, the rising star from Baroda has not bowled his full quota of overs regularly.

The allrounder, with a golden arm, has bagged 42 wickets in the 45 T20I innings he has played to date. A wicket-taker who could bowl at 135+ kmph with slow ball and cutter variations in slower pitches of UAE is a big plus.

The Mumbai Indians played five bowlers with Hardik Pandya and Keiron Pollard as sixth bowling options during the initial phase of this IPL. Considering that and the World Cup ahead, Pandya is expected to lend his medium bowling services more often than before in the coming months.

#2 Ravichandran Ashwin

R Ashwin is back to the Indian T20 side after 4 years

The 35-year-old off-spinning all-rounder was one of the first players to make it into the national side through IPL performances. His transition from T20s to other formats has a been massive career growth till date.

For whichever franchise he has played, be it Chennai Super Kings, the then Kings XI Punjab or Delhi Capitals, he has been the impact player for his team without any doubt. More than his wicket-taking abilities, of late the off-spinner is renowned for his economic spells. Those dry spells have indeed yielded in his call back to the national T20 side after four long years for the upcoming World Cup.

He is one amongst the five spinners in the Indian squad for the upcoming World Cup. Hence, Ashwin will be eager to give his best in the next one month’s time to stand out from his contemporaries. With DC already sitting comfortably on top of the points table, the tall finger spinner couldn’t have wished for a more pressure-less scenario to bring out his A-game.

#3 Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer would be playing after 6 months injury break

The attacking top-order batsman from the Delhi Capitals injured himself earlier this year while fielding during the home ODIs against England. The dislocated shoulder kept him out of the initial phase of this IPL and off the national side.

Iyer is expected to play his first game on September 22nd against SRH since injury after six long months. The gap in match time has also caused him to lose his spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming World Cup. However, considering his consistent performances prior to his injury, he has been included in the squad as one among the reserves.

The Delhi Capitals need just one win to seal their spot in the playoffs this year. With Rishabh Pant handling the skipper duties, Shreyas Iyer should be eyeing to aggregate as many runs as possible in this 2nd phase. That will not only boost his confidence coming back from injury but also his chances of getting into the main squad from the reserves.

#4 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni might be playing his last IPL

The former Indian skipper, who retired from all forms of the game a year ago, is probably playing his last season in the IPL. This is likely as the mega auction is scheduled to take place before the next edition.

In the previous IPL season, the first since retirement, he managed only 200 runs from 14 matches for the men in yellow. The season also happened to be the worst season for the franchise, the first time in 13 seasons they failed to qualify for playoffs/semi-finals. Also, after scoring just 37 runs out of the first seven games this season, the veteran himself would be focusing on getting the best out of himself in this 2nd phase of the season.

Having recently been appointed as the Indian team’s mentor, his roles and responsibilities henceforth are expected to change in the future. Still, the iconic player, who has led CSK to many laurels, will be eager to give his best and finish off in style for one last time.