Cricket superstars to watch out for in karbonn smart KPL IV

Many IPL stars will be playing in KPL

History has it that Karnataka has been among the top three states to fuel the National Cricket team post independence. Nearly 80 years thence, nothing has changed despite the game having grown unmatchable proportions, thanks in the main to the two World Cup Victories, not to mention the impact the Indian Premier League has had.

That IPL 2015 had 15 players from the State representing different franchisees says a story by itself. With three players being named in the Indian team for the tour of Zimbabwe and four more in the India ‘A’ squad for two four-day contests against Australia ‘A’ and tri-series against Australia ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’, it would be six players having donned the Tri-Colour in the Karbonn Smart KPL IV (With Manish Pandey breaking in, Robin is making a come-back into the one-day squad after a long gap).

Shreyas Gopal and Karun Nair with their splendid performances in the domestic circuit have taken the next step, making it to the India ‘A’ team, which will also features Abhimanyu Mithun and K.L Rahul.

Mayank Agarwal played India U-19 while wicket-keeper/batsman C.M Gautam turned out for India Emerging players and Sreenath Aravind has been an integral part of the three-pronged pace attack that Karnataka boasts of.

Ten off the 15 have felt what it feels to reach the top in Indian cricket or be close to getting there, while Aravind and the other four, Ronit More, K.C Cariappa, J Suchith and Shishir Bhavane have been pillars for their respective franchises in the Karnataka Premier League apart from fighting for spots in the State senior team.

These 15 players will be the center of attraction when the auction for the Karbonn Smart KPL 2015 takes place on July 25.

Not surprisingly, Karbonn Smart KPL 2014 top wickets-taker, with 16 from eight matches, slow left arm spinner Jagadeesha Suchith, turning out for title winners Mysore Warriors, was the most successful Karnataka bowler in the much renowned Indian Premier League with a haul of 10 wickets from 13 matches for his franchisee, Mumbai Indians.

The Mysuru lad showed he could wield the willow too when he slammed an unbeaten 34 against Kings XI Punjab, in a losing cause though.

Following him was left-arm seamer Sreenath Aravind (Hubli Tigers) who was inducted into the RCB team late to clinch eight wickets from five matches with a best of 4 for 27.

In third spot was Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar (Belagavi Panthers) who bagged seven wickets for Mumbai Indians and allrounder Stuart Binny managed four wickets for Rajasthan Royals.

Leg spinner Shreyas Gopal and Karnataka’s new-ball spearhead Abhimanyu Mithun were with the Mumbai Indians outfit.

Nevertheless, these six players along with Ronit More (Mangalore United, CSK), K.C Cariappa (Bijapur Bulls, KKR), Shishir Bavane (Mysore Warriors, RCB) will be the much sought bowlers.

Among the batsmen, Robin Uthappa and Manish Pandey will undoubtedly be the prize catches with equal interest expected for Karun Nair (Mangalore United, RR), Mayank Agarwal, and K.L Rahul.

C.M Gautam (Hubli Tigers, DD), the wicket-keeper for Karnataka over the last few years has proved his ability with the bat, slamming hundreds when the team needed it most. It should not be a surprise if he is chosen to lead one of the teams in this year’s KPL.

The advantage Uthappa holds is that he can double up as a wicket-keeper allowing for the team to opt for an extra bowler or batsman. His 384 runs from 13 matches with a high of an unbeaten 80, seven catches, and five stumpings are testimony to his abilities.

His team-mate at KKR Manish Pandey totaled 225 from 12 innings and Karun Nair had one 50 in his 181 from 14 games for Rajasthan Royals.

Mayank tallied 213 from 10 outings for Delhi Daredevils and Rahul managed 142 from nine matches with an unbeaten 44 as his best.

In the KPL, on home conditions and against known bowlers, these batsmen should excel and see their respective teams through.

This edition will also see the return of three premier players to the Karnataka Premier league and debut for another Star. Stuart Binny was away with the Indian team when the KPL was held last year, Gautam wore the hat of a Mentor after undergoing knee surgery while medium pacer Sharat  was out with an injured shoulder. Shreyas Gopal will take his bow at the premier event in Karnataka.