Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021: Top 5 batters to watch out for

#3 B Sai Sudarshan

B Sai Sudarshan been named in the defending champions' squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021. But he is yet to play a game in any format of the game. Yet there is palpable excitement around what this left-handed top-order batter from Tamil Nadu would bring to the fore.

Sudarshan created ripples at the divisional level. and was talked up highly by a certain Ravichandran Ashwin in his YouTube channel. Sudarshan was also a part of the Chennai Super Kings' school program - the Junior Super Kings - where he enjoyed a lot of success.

One can see why the left-hander is rated highly, as he tore into bowling attacks in the Tamil Nadu Premier League earlier this year.

Batting at number 3 for Dindigul Dragons, Sudarshan showed skill, grit and panache in the tournament. He accumulated 358 runs at an average of 71.6 and a strike rate of 143.77. Adept against both pace and spin, Sudarshan could well be handed his T20 cap for Tamil Nadu in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament opener against Maharashtra.

Should Sai Sudarshan light up the competition again, an IPL contract for the 20-year old may not be a far-fetched proposition. A solid domestic season could just pave the way for the same.

---

#2 Vishnu Solanki

Baroda's Vishnu Solanki broke the internet when he pulled off a stunning heist in the quarter-final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2020-21. With Baroda needing 15 runs off the last three deliveries against Haryana, Solanki clubbed a six either side of a boundary to seal their semi-final spot in sensational fashion. The last shot was a disdainful helicopter hit that went soaring over long-on.

With an average of 53.4 and a strike rate of 128.36, Solanki ended his 2020-21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign with 267 runs. Despite his efforts on largely sluggish surfaces, he couldn't fetch a deal in the IPL player auction ahead of the 2021 season.

Nevertheless, for a player who bats at the top of the order and hits a long ball, Solanki has a shot at upping his stakes even higher. From his and Baroda's point of view in the competition, another solid season could make it difficult for scouts to ignore him this time around.

Given that there is a team from Ahmedabad as well representing the state of Gujarat, a contract with an IPL team could well be in the offing for Solanki.

---

#1 Narayan Jagadeesan

A prolific run-getter and a neat wicketkeeper, Narayan Jagadeesan has been a part of the IPL in the last four seasons. However, with MS Dhoni donning the gloves at the Chennai Super Kings, opportunities have been difficult to come by for the right-handed batter from Coimbatore.

Jagadeesan topped the charts in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2020-21, and was key in Tamil Nadu winning the title. While his 364 runs did not necessarily come as a surprise, the hallmark of his season was his strike rate of 141.08. For someone who would usually be classified as a touch player with the bat, Jagadeesan cleared the fence at will, hitting as many as 17 sixes throughout the competition.

With MS Dhoni in the twilight of his IPL career, there is every chance that Jagadeesan could be the legend's heir apparent at CSK. He sits right up there among the brightest young talents in the country, especially among wicketkeeper batters, and should generate a lot of interest in the IPL mega auction this time around.

Jagadeesan will be the vice-captain of his team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021. He will don the gloves this time around, with Dinesh Karthik missing out due to injury. Another big season on the cards for the right-hander?