IPL 2019: Best Debutant XI
IPL is one of those tournaments that provide ample opportunities to young talented players to make a name for themselves on the big stage. While it is a chance for the Indian domestic players to prove their mettle and put their name in the reckoning for a place in the national side, the international players get the opportunity to play in an extremely competitive environment.
A good show in the IPL enhances the reputation of overseas players, and more often than not turns them into improved cricketers.
IPL teams have always been keen on including fresh faces to change things up, and they do not hesitate to put in big bucks in the process. This year was no different as unheard of names like Shivam Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, Prabhsimran Singh and Prayas Ray Barman were sold for crores. Overseas players like Shimron Hetmyer, Nicolas Pooran and Sam Curran also made millions at the auction.
Even though all these players are immensely talented, they will have the baggage of the big price tag. Nonetheless, they have the ability to light up the IPL with their sparkling performances, and will be the most attention-grabbing cricketers in the 12th edition of the cash rich league.
Here is the best debutants XI for IPL 2019.
#1 Johnny Bairstow (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
After getting ignored for years by the IPL teams, Jonny Bairstow finally got picked at the auction for IPL 2019. The England wicket-keeper batsman has been in scintillating form of late and is the third highest run-scorer of 2018 in ODIs, only behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
The Sunrisers will be more than happy to have someone of Bairstow's pedigree in their squad. Apart from his swashbuckling batting at the top of the order, the Englishman will also provide an extra option of a wicket-keeper to the franchise.