IPL 2018: 5 uncapped players who can become match-winners for their teams
In about a week's time, another installment of the biggest cricketing extravaganza, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to hit the grounds running. The 11th edition of the Indian fiesta will see many new things which have not been implemented in the tournament before, but one thing that will remain the same is IPL's propensity to unearth the hidden gems.
IPL is not only about the assemblage of all the big names in world cricket under one roof. It is also about the uncapped Indian players, with their unadulterated talent, rubbing shoulders with the greats of the game. History will testify that IPL has given India many uncut diamonds, who were previously hidden, a chance to shine.
Many uncapped players like Yuzvendra Chahal and Hardik Pandya have used the IPL to showcase their aptitude, and are now regular members of the Indian team.
Today we look at the 5 uncapped players, who can become match-winners for their respective franchises, and might don the blue jersey in the years to come.
#5 Kamlesh Nagarkoti
A few months ago, only a handful of people, who closely followed the U19 circuit knew the name of Kamlesh Nagarkoti. But the 18-year-old from Barmer, Rajasthan grabbed the limelight in the ICC U19 World Cup, which was held earlier this year. The Indian fans often complained about the country's ineptitude to produce quality fast bowlers, and now they have got one in Nagarkoti, a bowler for whom bowling over 140 kmph is just a cakewalk.
In the 6 matches he has played in the U19 World Cup, Nagarkoti has picked up 9 wickets. Not only his knack of picking up wickets but his economy rate is equally commendable, which is as low as 3.48 runs per over.
IPL will be a different ball game for him, as he will be bowling to the likes of Kohlis and Rohits not to Jason Sanghas. But if morning actually shows the day, we have got our future pace commander. Bought by Kolkata Knight Riders, he will be bowling alongside one of the greatests of the modern era, if not the greatest, Mitchell Starc. He will surely have a big role to play if KKR wants to lift the trophy for the third time.