3 uncapped players who became cult heroes in the IPL
Rinku Singh is a cult superstar now and there are no two ways about it after his heroics in IPL 2023.
From tearing into Yash Dayal and pulling off a stunning heist with five consecutive sixes to hitting the winning runs against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter continues to win over fans.
His journey from humble beginnings has only earned the respect and love of fans around the country even further. Having shown his potential as a finisher last season, he has taken it up by several notches this year, casting himself as one for the long run.
Mind you, Rinku isn't the first uncapped player that the IPL has seen grow into a cult figure. In its rich 16-season history, plenty of lesser-known and unheralded names have pulled off incredible acts for their teams to carve a special name for themselves.
Here, we look at three similar such cult heroes to have emerged from the IPL over the years.
#1 Rahul Tewatia
Rahul Tewatia feels no pressure 😎
#IPL2023 #GT #RahulTewatia https://t.co/vU8rEQCWs6
Before Rinku Singh, there was Rahul Tewatia. While he remains uncapped at the national level, calls for an India cap have grown louder owing to his consistency in finishing matches with the bat for Gujarat Titans (GT), while showing incredible nerve under pressure.
It all started when he clouted Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in the 18th over in an IPL 2020 clash, helping Rajasthan Royals (RR) ace a record chase in the league against Kings XI Punjab (as they were called back then). That he endured an incredibly patchy stay in the middle before flicking a switch only added to the cult around him.
Tewatia's status as a cult hero has only grown with time as he continues to show incredible composure in the death overs. Dubbed the 'Iceman', he comfortably tops this list among uncapped players who have emerged with a big fanbase.
#2 Aditya Tare
Around the world, Rajasthan Royals supporters are having a familiar sinking feeling.
We call it the Aditya Tare Feeling. :( :(
Aditya Tare may not have been a regular in the Mumbai Indians (MI) playing XI, but one massive six etched himself into cricketing folklore with fans continuing to remember that moment even today.
Of course, we're talking about 'that' six he hit off James Faulkner at the Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2014. MI needed to chase down 190 in 14.3 overs to upstage Rajasthan Royals (RR) to the playoffs. Corey Anderson's unbeaten 95 set the tone for the same but Ambati Rayudu's run out with two runs required off the third ball off the 15th over dashed their hopes.
That was until it was confirmed that a boundary would put them into the playoffs and Tare did the needful by pummeling a Faulkner full toss over deep square leg.
Pandemonium ensued with the celebrations as Tare tore off on a sprint, lifting his shirt in the process. He won over millions of MI fans and remains remembered for this iconic moment that took them into the playoffs.
#3 Manvinder Bisla
#OnThisDay in 2012, Kolkata Knight Riders won their first IPL title under Gautam Gambhir 🏆
They defeated CSK in the final with Manvinder Bisla playing a gem of a knock 🔥
📸: IPL
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A knock for the ages in the summit clash of IPL 2012 put Manvinder Bisla in the pantheon of cult heroes to have emerged from the league. The circumstances under which he made it to the KKR playing XI for the final were the stuff of a cinema script - an injury to Lakshmipathy Balaji meant that Brett Lee had to play the final, forcing Brendon McCullum out to maintain the overseas limit of four.
Bisla got his chance and he grabbed it with both hands. Despite paying witness to the wicket of skipper Gautam Gambhir in the opening over, he tore into the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) attack in pursuit of 191. His 48-ball 89 paved the way for the Knight Riders' maiden title triumph and he walked away with the Player of the Match honors.
Amongst the most iconic knocks to have ever been played in the final of a marquee league, this one is right up there. Bisla's heroics remain a part of folklore to date - it truly was a fairytale turn of events in every sense!
Who among these players is the biggest cult hero that the IPL has produced according to you? Have your say in the comments section below!
Also read: 3 teams whose batting line-ups haven’t been settled in IPL 2023